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.
Resposta rápida
Este curso gratuito tem cerca de 10 minutos de lições e um teste de 25 perguntas. Com 80% ou mais pode descarregar um certificado de conclusão (privado, não acreditado). Verificado com fontes oficiais em 11 de outubro de 2026.
O que vai aprender
- 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
Obtenha 80% ou mais para descarregar o seu certificado.
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Pergunta 1 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 2 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 3 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 4 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 5 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 6 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 7 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 8 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 9 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 10 de 25
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Resposta: D. proportionality
Section 34(2)(g) looks at whether the response was proportionate to the force or threat.
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Pergunta 11 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 12 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 13 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 14 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 15 de 25
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Resposta: A. Calm communication and keeping a safe distance
Presence, communication and distance solve most problems without force and keep everyone safer.
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Pergunta 16 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 17 de 25
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Resposta: B. During escalation, before the crisis point
Calm words work best early, while tension is rising and before a person loses control.
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Pergunta 18 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 19 de 25
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Resposta: C. their licence authorizes it
A BC licence states whether the holder may use dogs or restraints.
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Pergunta 20 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 21 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 22 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 23 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 24 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
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Pergunta 25 de 25
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Resposta: 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.
Teclado: 1–4 para responder, Enter para a pergunta seguinte.
O que saber antes do exame
- 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.
Perguntas frequentes
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.
O certificado é acreditado ou reconhecido oficialmente?
Não. É um certificado de conclusão privado, apenas para o seu conhecimento. Não é reconhecido, acreditado nem aprovado por nenhum governo, entidade licenciadora, regulador ou instituição de ensino e não substitui qualquer licença, certificação ou formação exigida por lei.
Fontes
- Criminal Code, section 25 (protection of persons acting under authority)
- Criminal Code, section 26 (excessive force)
- Criminal Code, section 27 (use of force to prevent commission of offence)
- Criminal Code, section 30 (preventing breach of peace)
- Criminal Code, section 34 (defence of person)
- Criminal Code, section 35 (defence of property)
- Criminal Code, section 265 (assault)
- Rules for licensed security workers (Government of BC)
- Security service worker licence (Alberta.ca)