What Private Security Guards Can and Can’t Do in Canada
What Private Security Guards Can and Can't Do in Canada
Written by Paul Thandi, Operations Manager, On Guard Security Ltd. — 10+ years in BC security · Updated September 2026
Property managers and business owners often hire private security expecting one of two things: a guard who can do whatever a police officer can, or a guard who can do nothing at all. Neither is right. Private security guards in Canada work within clear legal limits set by the federal Criminal Code and, in British Columbia, by provincial laws on licensing and trespass. This guide explains what a guard can and can't do on your property, so you can set realistic expectations, write sensible post orders and avoid asking a guard to do something that would put you both at risk. It's general information, not legal advice.
Key takeaways
Private security guards have no police powers. Their authority comes from the property owner and from the same laws that apply to any private citizen.
Under Criminal Code s.494, a guard authorized by the owner may arrest someone found committing a criminal offence on or in relation to the property, and must hand that person to a peace officer right away.
Under BC's Trespass Act, a guard acting for the occupier can tell someone they're not allowed in, direct them to leave and ask for their name and address. Arrest for trespass alone is a power the Act gives to peace officers.
Force must be based on reasonable grounds and limited to what is necessary. Licensed guards in BC may not carry firearms, restraining devices without registrar approval, or prohibited weapons.
Anyone paid to do security work in BC must be licensed. You can check a guard or company with the province's free verification tool.
Private security is security work done by licensed people employed by a private company or organisation, rather than by a police service. In BC, the Security Services Act defines a security guard service to include guarding or watching property, guarding an individual, and preventing the loss of property. That covers static site guards, mobile patrol, concierge security, loss prevention and event security.
A private security guard's authority comes from two places. The first is the property owner or occupier who hires them: the guard acts on the owner's behalf, enforcing the owner's rules about who may enter and what they may do. The second is the ordinary law that applies to everyone, including the arrest and self-defence provisions in the Criminal Code. There is no third source. A guard has no special police powers, and the Act prohibits a security business from describing itself or its work with the words "police", "peace officer", "law enforcement" or "detective".
Key insight: a guard's real power is the owner's authority plus presence. Most of what good private security achieves comes from being seen, asking politely, documenting and calling police at the right moment, not from physical intervention.
Section 494 of the Criminal Code sets out when a person who isn't a police officer may arrest someone without a warrant. It has three parts that matter to property owners:
Anyone may arrest a person they find committing an indictable offence, or a person they believe on reasonable grounds has committed a criminal offence and is escaping from, and being freshly pursued by, people with lawful authority to arrest them (s.494(1)).
The owner or person in lawful possession of property, or someone they authorize, such as a security guard, may arrest a person they find committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property. The arrest must be made at the time, or within a reasonable time afterwards if they believe on reasonable grounds that it isn't feasible for a peace officer to make it (s.494(2)).
Anyone other than a peace officer who makes an arrest must deliver the person to a peace officer "forthwith", meaning right away (s.494(3)).
In plain terms, a guard can only arrest someone they actually find committing a criminal offence, cannot hold a person to investigate or question them, and must call police immediately. An arrest made outside these conditions can be unlawful, with legal consequences for whoever made it. That's why professional companies train guards to treat arrest as a last resort and to observe, report and call police in most situations.
Trespass is where private security does most of its day-to-day work, and in BC it is governed by the provincial Trespass Act. The Act gives powers to the "occupier" of premises and to an "authorized person", meaning someone the occupier authorizes to act for them. A security guard posted by the owner or property manager is typically that authorized person.
Under the Act, the occupier or an authorized person can:
Give notice that entry or an activity is prohibited, orally, in writing, or with signs posted at the ordinary points of access so they are clearly visible in daylight (ss.2 and 4). A sign showing an activity with a line through it is enough to prohibit that activity.
Direct a person to leave or to stop an activity. Not leaving as soon as practicable, or coming back, is an offence (s.2(3)).
Demand the person's correct name and address if there are reasonable grounds to believe they are trespassing. Refusing is an offence (s.6).
What the Act does not give a guard is a power to arrest for trespass. Section 7 gives arrest without warrant for a trespass offence to peace officers. So when someone refuses to leave, the guard's job is to stay calm, repeat the direction clearly, record what happened, and call police if needed. For sites where after-hours trespass is a recurring issue, regular mobile patrol visits backed by clear signage are often more effective than confrontation.
Key insight: good signage does real legal work. Signs posted at each ordinary point of access give notice under the Trespass Act before your guard ever has to say a word.
Private guards may use force only in narrow circumstances. The Criminal Code (s.25) protects a person acting under legal authority, including a private person making a lawful arrest, only if they act on reasonable grounds and use no more force than is necessary. The Code's defence-of-property provision (s.35) likewise allows only force that is reasonable in the circumstances. In practice, "reasonable" is judged afterwards, often by a court, so professional guards avoid force unless there is no safe alternative.
BC's Security Services Regulation adds clear limits on what guards may carry and how they must conduct themselves:
A licensed security worker must not carry or use a restraining device, such as handcuffs, unless the registrar has authorized it, and must never carry a weapon or device prohibited by the Criminal Code or anything designed to debilitate or control a person (s.11).
A guard's uniform must display the word "SECURITY" and must not resemble a police uniform, and guards may not carry an identification badge (s.12).
Security dogs need registrar authorization and may not be used to control individuals or crowds or to pursue people (s.13).
The registrar can make it a licence condition that a guard "must not use unnecessary force" and must not misrepresent their authority (s.14).
Security businesses must keep use-of-force reports for every incident in which a guard used any type of force (s.7).
For practical purposes, no. In British Columbia, the Security Services Act (s.26) says a licensed person must not carry a firearm in the course of security work. The only exception allows the registrar to permit armoured car guards to carry a specified firearm if they are competent and hold every required licence and permit. Federally, an authorization to carry a restricted firearm or handgun for work is limited to narrow situations, such as people whose principal activity is handling, transporting or protecting cash or goods of substantial value.
So the building, retail, event and patrol guards that property owners hire in BC work unarmed — and On Guard Security Ltd. provides unarmed guards only. Our article on why unarmed guards are the right fit explains why that approach suits commercial and residential properties.
Private security companies are legal and regulated in Canada, and each province licenses the industry under its own law. In BC, an individual must not do any kind of security work for pay unless they hold a valid security worker licence for it, and a company supplying guards needs a security business licence. The Regulation also requires security businesses to carry general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.
Once you understand the limits, you can write post orders that work. Good post orders tell the guard which areas are restricted, what the owner's rules are, when to give a trespass direction, who to call and when, and exactly what must be documented. They don't ask the guard to "remove anyone suspicious" or to act like a police officer, because that invites mistakes.
What private security does very well is prevention and documentation: a visible presence that discourages problems, regular patrols, quick reporting of hazards, calm handling of people who shouldn't be there, and detailed reports that police, insurers and property managers can rely on. In retail, trained loss prevention officers apply the same rules: observe carefully, act only within s.494, and hand over to police.
On Guard Security Ltd. has provided private security in BC for more than 10 years from our base in Surrey, covering Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Langley, Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley. Our guards are BC-licensed and JIBC-trained, complete a week of one-on-one training with a senior officer before working alone, and work within the limits described above. We are WorkSafeBC compliant, fully insured and available 24/7.
Private security protects people and property on behalf of the owner. Guards watch and patrol sites, control access, deter theft and trespass, respond to alarms, handle emergencies until responders arrive, and document incidents. They act with the owner's authority and ordinary citizen's powers, not police powers.
What is a private security company?
A private security company is a business that supplies licensed security workers, such as site guards, mobile patrol officers, concierge security and loss prevention officers, to clients. In BC, the company needs a security business licence and each guard needs a security worker licence under the Security Services Act.
Are private security companies legal in Canada?
Yes. Private security is a legal, regulated industry, licensed provincially. In BC, anyone paid to do security work must hold a valid licence, and companies must also carry general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000. You can check a licence with the province's free verification tool.
Can you have private armed security in Canada?
Generally no. In BC, the Security Services Act prohibits licensed security workers from carrying firearms while doing security work, with a narrow exception the registrar may grant to armoured car guards. Building, retail, event and patrol guards work unarmed.
How much does private security cost in Canada?
It depends on the service. Site guards are usually billed hourly per guard, while mobile patrol is often priced per visit. The number of guards, hours, overnight or holiday coverage, notice and location all affect the total, so ask for a quote based on your property.
Can a security guard remove a trespasser in BC?
A guard acting for the occupier can tell a person they are not allowed on the property, direct them to leave and ask for their name and address under the Trespass Act. Refusing is an offence, but the Act gives the power to arrest for trespass to peace officers, so guards document the situation and call police rather than use force.
Google Review
Jack Willson
A pleasure to recommend company On Guard Security; mostly I enjoyed their quality services and effective response. They understand our security needs and able to ensure the best possible or professional services. Team members were professional, friendly experienced and highly approachable and live up to our expectations.
Google Review
James Cook
On guard security is my preferred choice when I need reliable security services. The team and professional service are unmatched. Their security guards and overall security are really dedicated. Recommend them for any security guard or private protection services!
Google Review
Patrick Parker
The reason I called on guard security is because they are local. They did not waste any time from the first phone call. I greatly appreciate the professionalism, service, and peace of mind offered by this security company.
Google Review
Thomas Chase
I was experiencing many incidences of shoplifting at my store and so I hired On Guard Security to provide professional guards. They did a fantastic job and now my business and merchandise are fully protected.
Google Review
Jon Wiltz
I was looking for a reliable and affordable security company for my clothing store and On Guard Security Ltd have done a fantastic job! I would definitely recommend them to fellow small business owners.
Google Review
Alan Cooper
I am happy with the performance of On Guard Security Staff assigned to our facilities. The guards respond quickly to needs and questions. I would definitely recommend this security company to others.
Google Review
~CrystalStarHomesLtd.
The guards were friendly and very cooperative. Excellent services with prices you can’t turn down. I had 24 hours security patrol on all sites. I would recommend OnGuard Security to anyone who’s looking for security services . Thanks so much Rajan really appreciate your services looking forward to meet again!
Google Review
~Jovan Dhillon
Very respectful staff, staff got to my site on time. Would book again
Google Review
~Aman Johal
I would highly recommend On Guard Security. We hired them for my brothers wedding and they provided great service. The staff always showed up on time.
Google Review
~Jason Powell
We used On Guard for our building while we were transitioning to our new intercom and entry system. They were always incredibly professional to deal with and the guards showed up well ahead of time and did a great job as we went through the process, which extended longer than expected. On Guard was also great at getting somebody on site the first night we needed them on very short notice. Overall, we were extremely happy with their service.
Google Review
~Balraj Malhi
Very good company to work with on gaurd ” Rajan is very proffesional and so are the guards. I would definetly reccomend On Guard security”Always Treat like a Famliy
Google Review
~kiran sohal
I hired on guard for my sisters wedding this past weekend, the guards were there 15 minutes early and made sure everything went smoothly , definitely will hire again
Google Review
~Sukh Brar
Provided an excellent service with my wedding events last week!! Very professional team of workers. Will definitely call for on guard’s services for future needs.
