Use of Force Awareness Course for Guards 2026

This course is for security guards who want to understand when the law allows force and when it does not. It covers the Criminal Code rules on force, how courts judge reasonableness, options that avoid force, provincial equipment rules and what to do after force is used. It does not teach physical techniques.

  • Curso
  • Canadá
  • 25 preguntas
  • Revisado el 11 de octubre de 2026

Respuesta rápida

Este curso gratuito tiene unos 10 minutos de lecciones y un test de 25 preguntas. Con un 80 % o más puedes descargar un certificado de finalización (privado, no acreditado). Contrastado con fuentes oficiales el 11 de octubre de 2026.

Empieza por las leccionesUse of Force Awareness: Lessons: unos 10 minutos de lectura. Todas las preguntas del test se tratan en las lecciones.

Qué aprenderás

  • Recognize what counts as force and as assault
  • Explain the Criminal Code rules on force, self-defence and defence of property
  • Judge force by necessity and proportionality
  • Choose options that avoid force
  • Follow provincial equipment rules
  • Give aftercare and write a complete use-of-force report

Obtén un 80 % o más para descargar tu certificado.

  1. Pregunta 1 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  2. Pregunta 2 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  3. Pregunta 3 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  4. Pregunta 4 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  5. Pregunta 5 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  6. Pregunta 6 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  7. Pregunta 7 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  8. Pregunta 8 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  9. Pregunta 9 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  10. Pregunta 10 de 25

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

    Respuesta: D. proportionality

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

  11. Pregunta 11 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  12. Pregunta 12 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  13. Pregunta 13 de 25

    When must the use of force stop?
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: 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.

  14. Pregunta 14 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  15. Pregunta 15 de 25

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

    Respuesta: A. Calm communication and keeping a safe distance

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

  16. Pregunta 16 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  17. Pregunta 17 de 25

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

    Respuesta: B. During escalation, before the crisis point

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

  18. Pregunta 18 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  19. Pregunta 19 de 25

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

    Respuesta: C. their licence authorizes it

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

  20. Pregunta 20 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  21. Pregunta 21 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  22. Pregunta 22 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  23. Pregunta 23 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

  24. Pregunta 24 de 25

    What should a use-of-force report include?
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: 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.

  25. Pregunta 25 de 25

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

    Respuesta: 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.

Qué debes saber antes del examen

  • A person authorized by law and acting on reasonable grounds may use as much force as is necessary (Criminal Code, s. 25(1)); anyone who uses excessive force is criminally responsible for the excess (s. 26).
  • 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 (s. 25(3)).
  • For self-defence, the act must be reasonable in the circumstances; section 34(2) lists factors such as other means available, physical capabilities and proportionality.
  • British Columbia bans security workers from carrying items designed to injure or control people, such as tasers, pepper spray and batons, and requires every use of force to be recorded.
  • In Alberta, a security worker needs employer approval and an approved 40-hour course to carry a baton, re-certified every 36 months.

Preguntas frecuentes

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.

¿El certificado está acreditado o reconocido oficialmente?

No. Es un certificado de finalización privado, solo para tus conocimientos. No está reconocido, acreditado ni aprobado por ningún gobierno, organismo de licencias, regulador ni institución educativa, y no sustituye ninguna licencia, certificación ni formación exigida por la ley.

Fuentes

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