Private security in British Columbia is a $1.2 billion industry, and yet most property managers can't tell you what their own contract actually covers. That gap matters. When you hire private security, you're trusting a licensed civilian workforce, not police, to protect your people, premises, and bottom line.
Key Takeaways
- Private security guards in BC must hold a Security Worker Licence issued by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General after completing JIBC-approved Basic Security Training.
- Typical hourly rates in the Lower Mainland range from $22 to $38, depending on post type, hours, and risk profile.
- A good contract specifies response time, patrol frequency, reporting cadence, WorkSafeBC coverage, and escalation procedures, not just "guard on site."
- Local providers like On Guard Security typically respond to alarms in Surrey within 15-30 minutes, vs. 45+ minutes for distant dispatchers.
Private security is professional, licensed protection services delivered by a non-government company to safeguard people, property, and assets. In BC, every front-line guard must hold a Security Worker Licence under the Security Services Act, and every employer must hold a Security Business Licence issued by the Registrar.
That legal foundation separates legitimate private security from informal "watchmen." Licensed guards are trained to observe, report, deter, and de-escalate. They aren't peace officers, but they can detain in narrow circumstances under section 494 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
For an in-depth look at how the industry serves businesses across the province, see our guide to professional security BC.
By the numbers: Statistics Canada reported roughly 140,000 licensed private security workers nationwide in 2024, outnumbering sworn police officers by more than two to one.
Private security covers a wide menu: static guarding, mobile patrol, alarm response, fire watch, concierge, parking enforcement, retail loss prevention, event security, and construction site protection. Most BC providers bundle two or three of these into a single contract tailored to your site.
The right mix depends on what you're protecting. A 200-unit strata in Burnaby needs concierge plus overnight patrols. A Langley construction site needs perimeter checks, access control, and after-hours fire watch. A Surrey retail plaza needs visible deterrence and incident response.
| Service | Best for | Typical coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Static guard | Lobbies, gates, retail | 8-24 hour shifts |
| Mobile patrol security | Multiple small sites | 2-6 random checks/night |
| Fire watch | Sprinkler outages, hot work | Continuous, BC Fire Code |
| Construction site security | Active builds, equipment yards | Dusk-to-dawn or 24/7 |
| Alarm response security services | Vacant or unstaffed buildings | On-call dispatch |
Every BC guard must complete 40 hours of Basic Security Training through a JIBC-approved provider, pass the provincial exam, and submit a clean criminal record check before the Security Programs Division issues a Security Worker Licence. Licences are valid for five years and must be carried on shift.
Companies themselves need a separate Security Business Licence. They must carry WorkSafeBC coverage and maintain insurance, including general liability and, in many cases, $2 million in errors and omissions. Ask any provider to email you both licences before you sign.
If you're navigating renewals yourself, our walkthrough on renewing security license bc and the broader security licence in bc page cover the full process.
Key insight: A real provider will share licence numbers without hesitation. If they hedge, that's your first red flag — and a sign to keep searching.
Private security in BC typically runs $22 to $38 per hour in 2026, depending on shift length, risk level, and post requirements. A standard unarmed concierge in Surrey averages $26-$30 per hour, while specialized fire watch or armoured posts trend higher.
What drives the spread? Three things: minimum hour commitments (often four-hour minimums), overnight or holiday premiums, and certifications required (Occupational First Aid Level 1, advanced de-escalation, fire safety). Mobile patrol is usually billed per visit, around $35-$60 per check.
For a full breakdown by service type, see our security guard cost guide.
Bottom line: Cheapest isn't safest. A $19/hour bid usually means an undertrained guard or a company cutting corners on insurance and supervision.
Private security is a civilian, contracted service focused on prevention, observation, and reporting on private property. Police are sworn public peace officers with full investigative powers across the province. The two work together but serve different functions, and BC law clearly distinguishes them.
Private guards in BC cannot conduct criminal investigations, carry firearms (without a separate Armoured Car Guard licence), or use police-style uniforms. What they can do is observe and document, control access, intervene to prevent harm, and call police when an incident exceeds their authority.
| Capability | Private security | Police |
|---|---|---|
| Patrol your property | Yes, contracted | Public space only |
| Detain on private property | Yes (s. 494 C.C.) | Yes (full arrest powers) |
| Issue tickets | Parking only, by bylaw | Yes |
| Carry firearms | Restricted/specialized | Yes |
| Average response on private alarm | 15-30 min (local) | 30-90+ min |
Choose a private security provider by verifying their Security Business Licence, asking for proof of WorkSafeBC coverage and insurance, reviewing guard training records, and confirming local supervision. The best providers will walk your site before quoting and give you a named account manager, not a call centre.
Ask these five questions: Who supervises my site after midnight? What's the average tenure of your guards? How are incidents reported to me? Is your dispatch local or out-of-province? What's the protocol when a guard calls in sick?
Need a deeper checklist? Our guides on security companies and security companies near me break the process down step by step. Also useful: hiring security firm mistakes.
Key insight: Locally owned firms tend to have lower guard turnover. At On Guard, every new hire spends one full week shadowing a senior officer before solo deployment — that consistency shows up in your incident reports.
For mobile patrol and alarm response in Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, and Langley, expect a physically dispatched guard within 15 to 30 minutes during normal traffic conditions. Providers based in the Lower Mainland will beat out-of-province dispatchers nearly every time.
Response time is one of the few measurable performance indicators in this industry. Ask any prospective provider for their average response over the last 90 days, broken down by service area. If they can't produce that number, they aren't tracking it.
On Guard maintains 24/7 dispatch from Surrey, covering the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland with mobile units staged across multiple zones. Whether it's an after-hours alarm at a Langley warehouse or a noise complaint at a Burnaby strata, we aim for a 20-minute arrival average.
On Guard Security Ltd. has protected properties across Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, Langley, Abbotsford, and the Fraser Valley since 2014. Our guards are JIBC-licensed, WorkSafeBC compliant, and trained one-on-one for a full week before their first solo shift.
For a site walk and a tailored quote, call 778-990-5070 or email info@onguardsecurityltd.ca. We respond to consultation requests within one business hour, 24/7.
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