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.

  • Corso
  • Canada
  • 25 domande
  • Verificato: 11 ottobre 2026

In breve

Questo corso gratuito ha circa 10 minuti di lezioni e un test di 25 domande. Con l’80% o più puoi scaricare un attestato di completamento (privato, non accreditato). Verificato sulle fonti ufficiali in data 11 ottobre 2026.

Inizia dalle lezioniUse of Force Awareness: Lessons: circa 10 minuti di lettura. Ogni domanda del test è trattata nelle lezioni.

Cosa imparerai

  • 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

Ottieni almeno l’80% per scaricare il tuo attestato.

  1. Domanda 1 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 2 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 3 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 4 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 5 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 6 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 7 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 8 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 9 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 10 di 25

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

    Risposta: D. proportionality

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

  11. Domanda 11 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 12 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 13 di 25

    When must the use of force stop?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 14 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 15 di 25

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

    Risposta: A. Calm communication and keeping a safe distance

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

  16. Domanda 16 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 17 di 25

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

    Risposta: B. During escalation, before the crisis point

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

  18. Domanda 18 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 19 di 25

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

    Risposta: C. their licence authorizes it

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

  20. Domanda 20 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 21 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 22 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 23 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 24 di 25

    What should a use-of-force report include?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: 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. Domanda 25 di 25

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

    Risposta: 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.

Cosa sapere prima del test

  • 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.

Domande frequenti

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.

L’attestato è accreditato o riconosciuto ufficialmente?

No. È un attestato di completamento privato, solo per le tue conoscenze. Non è riconosciuto, accreditato né approvato da alcun governo, ente di rilascio delle licenze, autorità di regolamentazione o istituto di istruzione e non sostituisce alcuna licenza, certificazione o formazione richiesta dalla legge.

Fonti

Test correlati