Manitoba Security Law and Trespass Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: Manitoba's security licensing law

In Manitoba, security work is regulated by The Private Investigators and Security Guards Act (C.C.S.M. c. P132) and the Private Investigators and Security Guards Regulation (M.R. 164/2010). The Act is run by a Registrar through Manitoba Justice's Private Investigators and Security Guards Program. The Registrar decides who may hold a licence.

Lesson 2: Rules on the job

• Carry your licence while on duty and show it when asked (s. 32(1)).
• On duty, the only evidence of authority a guard may have or display is the licence and the approved uniform (s. 32(2)). Do not carry or show any other card, badge or ID as proof of authority unless it is part of the uniform the Registrar approved.
• Wear a uniform approved by the Registrar (s. 33(1)). It must have a chest patch or plate reading SECURITY GUARD in block letters at least 1.2 cm high, and must be clearly different from police and military uniforms (regulation s. 6).
• The Registrar may exempt a guard from the uniform rule while working as a loss prevention officer (regulation s. 7).
• Do not use titles such as "protection officer" or "law enforcement officer" (s. 27.1), and never suggest you are linked to the police (s. 35).
• Report a criminal charge or conviction, or a change of address for service, to the Registrar within 15 days (s. 19.1).
• Return your licence to the Registrar if it expires or is suspended or cancelled (s. 19).
• Breaking the Act or regulation is an offence (s. 37).

Equipment

Manitoba Justice says guards may not possess or use OC (pepper) spray, which is a prohibited weapon, and may not carry restricted weapons. Batons should not be carried or used as weapons. Handcuffs are not banned, but only the minimum force needed may be used on a person who is lawfully under arrest.

Lesson 3: Manitoba's Trespass Act

Manitoba's trespass law is The Trespass Act (C.C.S.M. c. T156). It used to be called The Petty Trespasses Act. Amendments that renamed and rewrote it came into force on October 15, 2021.

Places where no warning is needed

Under section 1(1)(a), it is an offence to enter these places without the permission of the owner, tenant or occupier:

• Land or premises fully enclosed by a fence, wall or natural boundary
• Land that is partly enclosed or marked with conspicuous signs showing an intent to keep people off
• A construction site
• A residential lawn or garden
• A farmyard or farm equipment storage site, and land used for crops, grazing, raising birds or fish, or beekeeping

Other places

On other land, section 1(1)(b) makes it an offence to enter after being told not to, or to stay after being asked to leave. Places where the public is normally let in free of charge, like a mall, are not on the "no warning" list, but a person who stays after being asked to leave still commits an offence. On occupied premises, the request must come from the person actually occupying it, or with their approval (s. 1(2)). That is how a guard acts for a client.

Exceptions

• Using an open pathway to a building's door (s. 1(1.1)).
• Peace officers, first responders, meter readers, inspectors and mail carriers doing their job (s. 1(3.1)).
• A person who honestly and reasonably believes they have a right to be there (s. 1(4)).
• Communicating true statements on the outdoor walkways, driveways or parking areas of a business open to the public free of charge (s. 4).

Lesson 4: Arrest, removal and force

The old Petty Trespasses Act had a section 2 that let a property owner arrest a trespasser. That section was repealed in 2021 (Bill 63). The Trespass Act now gives owners and guards no power to arrest for trespass. If a person will not leave, call the police.

Manitoba Justice says a guard has the same powers of arrest as a private citizen under section 494 of the Criminal Code, and no extra powers.