What Is a Security Guard's Legal Authority in British Columbia? Rights, Limits & Responsibilities
INTRO: One of the most common questions Surrey business owners and property managers ask before hiring security is: "What can a security guard actually do if there's an incident?" The answer depends on BC law — and understanding it helps you set appropriate expectations, write better post orders, and avoid liability. Are Security Guards Peace Officers in BC? No. Licensed security guards in BC are private citizens with specific contractual authority to act on behalf of the property owner or client. They are NOT peace officers, and they do NOT have the powers of police. What a BC Security Guard CAN Do Legally: 1. CITIZEN'S ARREST — Under Section 494 of the Criminal Code of Canada, any person (including a security guard) may arrest someone they find committing a criminal offence, or who they have reasonable grounds to believe has committed a criminal offence. Important: the person arrested must be delivered to police immediately. 2. DENY ACCESS — On private property, a s...