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 security guard can deny entry to anyone the property owner authorizes them to exclude. This is a property right, not a police power.

3. EJECT TRESPASSERS — Under BC's Trespass Act, guards can lawfully eject and exclude trespassers from private property.

4. USE REASONABLE FORCE — BC security guards may use reasonable force in self-defense, in defense of others, and to effect a lawful citizen's arrest. "Reasonable force" means the minimum necessary given the circumstances.

5. DETAIN SHOPLIFTERS — Under Section 494(2) of the Criminal Code, the owner of property or their agent (a security guard) may detain a person found committing theft on that property, for the purpose of delivering them to police.

What a BC Security Guard CANNOT Do:
- Conduct searches without consent (except in very limited circumstances)
- Use excessive force
- Detain someone indefinitely (must call police immediately after arrest/detention)
- Exercise police powers (cannot charge people with offences, cannot compel statements)
- Carry unauthorized weapons (BC has strict weapons regulations for security guards)

Use of Force Training for BC Guards
All licensed BC security guards complete training on use of force principles as part of the mandatory Security Guard Training Program. On Guard Security provides additional de-escalation training to all deployed guards.

What This Means for Your Property
When you hire On Guard Security, your guards will operate within BC law — protecting your property, your people, and your liability. We provide written post orders for every assignment that specify exactly how guards should handle common scenarios.

Questions about how security guards work on your property? Contact On Guard Security — we're happy to explain our protocols before you commit to a contract. onguardsecurityltd.ca

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