Use of Force Awareness: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: What force is, and why to avoid it

Most security shifts never involve force. A guard's main tools are being visible, watching, talking and reporting. Even so, every guard must understand what force is and what the law allows, because using force wrongly can injure someone and lead to criminal charges, lawsuits and loss of your licence.

Force is wider than many people think. British Columbia's rules for security workers say force includes blocking access to or from a place, physically moving or restraining someone, using handcuffs, or using a weapon.

Under section 265(1) of the Criminal Code, an assault includes intentionally applying force to another person without their consent, and threatening by act or gesture to apply force when you have, or make the person reasonably believe you have, the present ability to do it. Force is only lawful when the law justifies it.

Lesson 2: What the law says

These sections of the Criminal Code set the limits for everyone, including guards:

Section	What it says, in plain words
25(1)	A person authorized by law to do something (for example, a lawful arrest) and acting on reasonable grounds may use as much force as is necessary
25(3)	Force intended or likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm is justified only to protect yourself or someone under your protection from death or grievous bodily harm
26	Anyone who uses excessive force is criminally responsible for the excess
27	Reasonable force may be used to prevent an offence that allows arrest without a warrant and would likely cause immediate and serious injury to a person or property
30	Anyone who sees a breach of the peace may step in and detain those involved to hand them to police, using no more force than reasonably necessary and proportionate to the danger
34	Defence of a person: the act must be done to defend against force or a threat, and must be reasonable in the circumstances
35	Defence of property: a person in peaceable possession of property, or someone acting under their authority, may act reasonably to protect it
494(4)	A person making a lawful arrest under section 494 counts as authorized by law for section 25

Notice the words that repeat: reasonable, necessary and proportionate. Under section 25(3), force likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm is only for protecting people from death or grievous bodily harm, never for protecting property alone.

Lesson 3: Judging whether force is reasonable

Courts look at the whole situation, not just one moment. Section 34(2) lists factors for self-defence, including:

The nature of the force or threat.
How imminent the force was, and whether other means were available to respond.
The person's role in the incident.
Whether anyone used or threatened to use a weapon.
The size, age, gender and physical capabilities of the people involved.
The relationship and history between the people involved.
The nature and proportionality of the response.

Courts weigh the whole situation when judging force; no single factor decides it.

The threat: what force or threat you faced, any weapon, and the size, age and abilities of the people involved.
Necessity: whether force was really needed at that moment.
Proportionality: whether the force used was in proportion to the threat.
Other options: whether you could have stepped back, kept talking, waited or called police.
Aftermath: stop as soon as the need ends, give first aid and report.

Lesson 4: Options before force

The safest incident is one that never becomes physical. Use these options first, and keep using them:

Presence: a calm, professional guard often settles a situation just by being there.
Communication: speak slowly and calmly, listen, and explain what you need.
Distance: keep space between you and the person, and keep an exit route.
Time: you rarely need to act right now. Waiting lets tempers cool.
Disengage: step back and observe if staying makes things worse.
Call for help: your supervisor, other guards or police.

Tension usually rises, peaks and falls. Calm words work best early.

Calm and trigger: something upsets the person.
Escalation: voice and body language become intense. This is the best time to de-escalate.
Crisis: the person may lose control. Focus on safety and distance.
De-escalation: tension falls. Keep your voice low and give space.
Recovery: the person settles. Avoid blame.

Property is not worth a serious injury. If a thief runs with a low-value item toward a busy road, let them go, note a good description and direction, and call police.

Lesson 5: Equipment and provincial rules

Each province sets its own rules for what guards may carry and use. Two examples:

Province	Example rules
British Columbia	No badges. No carrying or using items designed to injure or control people, such as tasers, pepper spray or batons. Dogs and restraints only if your licence authorizes them.
Alberta	A baton only with employer approval and an approved 40-hour baton use-of-force course, re-certified every 36 months.

Rules differ in other provinces. Always follow your licence conditions, provincial law and your employer's policy, which may be stricter than the law. This course does not teach physical techniques or equipment use; only approved, hands-on training can do that.

Lesson 6: After force is used

Check the person's well-being. Give first aid within your training and call 911 if needed.
Watch breathing. If a person who is being held says they cannot breathe, treat it as a medical emergency: ease any pressure so they can breathe and call 911.
Call police if an arrest was made or an offence happened.
Write notes while your memory is fresh.
Complete a use-of-force report. In British Columbia, every use of force must be recorded on a Use of Force Incident Report (SPD Form 0513) or an equivalent, and given to your manager if you work for a security business.
Preserve evidence: flag CCTV and get witness names.

What a good use-of-force report covers

The threat you faced and what led up to it.
What you said and did, including attempts to de-escalate.
The force you used, why you used it and when it stopped.
Any injuries and the care given.
Witnesses, cameras and the police officer you handed over to.