Can security guards use force in Canada?

Only when the law justifies it, such as during a lawful arrest, in self-defence or to prevent certain offences, and only as much as is reasonable and necessary. Excessive force is a crime.

Can a guard use force to protect property?

Section 35 of the Criminal Code allows reasonable action to protect property, but the act must be reasonable. Under section 25(3), force likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm is only for protecting people from death or grievous bodily harm.

Can security guards carry pepper spray or batons?

It depends on the province. British Columbia bans them for security workers, while Alberta allows batons only with employer approval and an approved 40-hour course.

Does this course teach restraint techniques?

No. It covers the law, judging reasonableness, de-escalation and reporting. Physical techniques need approved, hands-on training.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace the security licence training required in your province or territory.

Use of Force Awareness Course for Guards 2026

Question 1 of 25

According to British Columbia's rules for security workers, which of these counts as using force?

Greeting a visitor at the door
Calling police from a safe distance
Writing a person's description in a notebook
Blocking a person's way into or out of a place

Show answer

Answer: D. Blocking a person's way into or out of a place

BC says force includes blocking access to or from a location, physically moving or restraining someone, using handcuffs or using a weapon.

Question 2 of 25

Under section 265(1) of the Criminal Code, which act is an assault?

Refusing a person entry to a building
Intentionally applying force to another person without their consent
Asking a person to leave the property
Writing a report about a person

Show answer

Answer: B. Intentionally applying force to another person without their consent

Touching someone intentionally, directly or indirectly, without consent is an assault unless the law justifies it.

Question 3 of 25

When can a threatening gesture be an assault under section 265(1)?

When the person has, or makes the other person reasonably believe they have, the present ability to carry it out
Only when the gesture is filmed
Only when the gesture is made with a weapon
Never; only touching can be an assault

Show answer

Answer: A. When the person has, or makes the other person reasonably believe they have, the present ability to carry it out

An attempt or threat by act or gesture is an assault if there is a present ability, real or reasonably believed, to carry it out.

Question 4 of 25

Under section 25(1) of the Criminal Code, a person authorized by law to do something, and acting on reasonable grounds, may use…

force only if a police officer is present
as much force as is necessary for that purpose
force only after a warning in writing
any amount of force they choose

Show answer

Answer: B. as much force as is necessary for that purpose

Section 25(1) justifies only the force that is necessary, and only when the person acts on reasonable grounds.

Question 5 of 25

Under section 25(3), when is force intended or likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm justified?

Only when the person believes on reasonable grounds it is necessary to protect themselves or someone under their protection from death or grievous bodily harm
Whenever property is being stolen
Whenever a suspect runs away
Whenever the person feels insulted

Show answer

Answer: A. Only when the person believes on reasonable grounds it is necessary to protect themselves or someone under their protection from death or grievous bodily harm

Deadly or seriously harmful force is limited to preventing death or grievous bodily harm. Protecting property alone does not meet this test.

Question 6 of 25

Under section 26 of the Criminal Code, what happens to a person who uses more force than the law allows?

They must apologize, but no law applies
Nothing, if they were on duty
Only their employer is responsible
They are criminally responsible for the excess

Show answer

Answer: D. They are criminally responsible for the excess

Section 26 makes anyone who uses excessive force criminally responsible for the excess, depending on its nature and quality.

Question 7 of 25

Section 27 of the Criminal Code allows reasonable force to prevent an offence when the offence…

is only a rude comment
happened last week
is any bylaw breach
would allow arrest without a warrant and would likely cause immediate and serious injury to a person or property

Show answer

Answer: D. would allow arrest without a warrant and would likely cause immediate and serious injury to a person or property

Section 27 allows as much force as is reasonably necessary to prevent such an offence, and no more.

Question 8 of 25

For self-defence under section 34(1) of the Criminal Code, the act done to defend must be…

approved by a supervisor first
done only after the other person is injured
reasonable in the circumstances
done with a weapon

Show answer

Answer: C. reasonable in the circumstances

Section 34(1) requires a reasonable belief that force is being used or threatened, a defensive purpose, and an act that is reasonable in the circumstances.

Question 9 of 25

Which factor does section 34(2) list for deciding whether a defensive act was reasonable?

How long the guard has worked at the site
Whether the client was pleased
Whether there were other means available to respond
The colour of the guard's uniform

Show answer

Answer: C. Whether there were other means available to respond

Section 34(2)(b) asks how imminent the force was and whether there were other means available to respond.

Question 10 of 25

Under section 34(2), a court also considers the nature and ______ of the person's response to the force or threat.

speed
popularity
cost
proportionality

Show answer

Answer: D. proportionality

Section 34(2)(g) looks at whether the response was proportionate to the force or threat.

Question 11 of 25

A large, young guard uses force on a small, older person. Which section 34(2) factor most directly applies?

The weather
The time of day
Whether the incident was filmed
The size, age, gender and physical capabilities of the parties

Show answer

Answer: D. The size, age, gender and physical capabilities of the parties

Section 34(2)(e) lists the size, age, gender and physical capabilities of the people involved.

Question 12 of 25

Section 35 of the Criminal Code (defence of property) can cover a guard who acts under the authority of…

any member of the public
a person who wants to buy the property
a person they reasonably believe is in peaceable possession of the property, such as the client
the guard's family

Show answer

Answer: C. a person they reasonably believe is in peaceable possession of the property, such as the client

Section 35 applies to a person in peaceable possession of property, or someone acting under their authority, and the act must be reasonable.

Question 13 of 25

When must the use of force stop?

After a set number of minutes
Only when police arrive, no matter what
As soon as the threat ends or the person is under control
When the guard feels the person has learned a lesson

Show answer

Answer: C. As soon as the threat ends or the person is under control

Force is only justified while it is needed. Continuing after the need has ended is excessive.

Question 14 of 25

A shoplifter stops resisting and is being held. The guard then shoves the person hard "to teach a lesson". What is true?

This is allowed if the item was expensive
This is allowed because the person stole
This is allowed if no one saw it
This is not justified and can be a criminal assault

Show answer

Answer: D. This is not justified and can be a criminal assault

Force used to punish is never justified. The law allows only force that is needed for a lawful purpose.

Question 15 of 25

A person becomes angry at a guard at a front desk. What is usually the best first option?

Calm communication and keeping a safe distance
Raising your voice to match theirs
Blocking the exit so they cannot leave
Grabbing the person's arm right away

Show answer

Answer: A. Calm communication and keeping a safe distance

Presence, communication and distance solve most problems without force and keep everyone safer.

Question 16 of 25

A thief grabs a low-value item and runs toward a busy road. What should the guard usually do?

Throw something to stop them
Tackle them on the sidewalk
Let them go, note a good description and direction, and call police
Chase them across the road

Show answer

Answer: C. Let them go, note a good description and direction, and call police

Property is not worth serious injury. Observing and reporting is safer and still helps police.

Question 17 of 25

On the conflict curve, when is the best time to de-escalate?

Only during recovery
During escalation, before the crisis point
Only after police arrive
Only at the crisis point

Show answer

Answer: B. During escalation, before the crisis point

Calm words work best early, while tension is rising and before a person loses control.

Question 18 of 25

Under British Columbia's rules, may a security worker carry pepper spray, a baton or a taser?

Yes, if it is kept out of sight
Yes, after one year on the job
No, BC bans items designed to injure or control people
Yes, if the client agrees

Show answer

Answer: C. No, BC bans items designed to injure or control people

BC security workers may not carry or use items designed to injure or control people, such as tasers, pepper spray or batons.

Question 19 of 25

In British Columbia, a security worker may use dogs or restraints only if…

their supervisor says it is fine for that night
they bought the equipment themselves
their licence authorizes it
the person agrees to be restrained

Show answer

Answer: C. their licence authorizes it

A BC licence states whether the holder may use dogs or restraints.

Question 20 of 25

In Alberta, what is needed before a security worker may carry a baton?

Nothing; batons are allowed for everyone
Employer approval and an approved 40-hour baton use-of-force course, renewed every 36 months
Only a letter from the client
Only a first aid certificate

Show answer

Answer: B. Employer approval and an approved 40-hour baton use-of-force course, renewed every 36 months

Alberta requires employer approval and an approved 40-hour course, with re-certification every 36 months.

Question 21 of 25

In British Columbia, how must a security worker record any use of force?

Only if someone was injured
There is no need to record it
Only by telling a co-worker
On a Use of Force Incident Report (SPD Form 0513) or an equivalent document

Show answer

Answer: D. On a Use of Force Incident Report (SPD Form 0513) or an equivalent document

BC requires every use of force to be recorded on SPD Form 0513 or an equivalent, given to the manager if working for a security business.

Question 22 of 25

Right after any use of force, what is the guard's first duty?

Take photos for social media
Check the person's well-being and get medical help if needed
Ask the person to sign a statement
Leave the area before police arrive

Show answer

Answer: B. Check the person's well-being and get medical help if needed

Once the situation is under control, the person's safety is your responsibility. Get first aid or call 911 as needed.

Question 23 of 25

A person who is being held says they cannot breathe. What should the guard do?

Ignore it, because people often say this
Wait until police arrive to check
Treat it as a medical emergency: ease any pressure so they can breathe and call 911
Hold them more firmly

Show answer

Answer: C. Treat it as a medical emergency: ease any pressure so they can breathe and call 911

Breathing problems during restraint can be deadly. Always treat a complaint of not being able to breathe as an emergency.

Question 24 of 25

What should a use-of-force report include?

Only the time police arrived
Only the name of the person
The guard's opinion of the person's character
The threat, what you said and did, the force used and why, injuries, witnesses and when force stopped

Show answer

Answer: D. The threat, what you said and did, the force used and why, injuries, witnesses and when force stopped

A complete report explains why force was needed and shows it was reasonable and stopped when the need ended.

Question 25 of 25

Under section 30 of the Criminal Code, force used to stop a breach of the peace must be…

no more than reasonably necessary and reasonably proportioned to the danger
strong enough to punish those involved
used only by peace officers
approved in writing by police first

Show answer

Answer: A. no more than reasonably necessary and reasonably proportioned to the danger

Section 30 allows a person to step in and detain those involved, but force must be reasonably necessary and proportionate.

Use of Force Awareness Course for Guards 2026

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