PSISA + Code of Conduct
Not publishedof exam
Basic Security Procedures
Not publishedof exam
Legal System + Authorities
Not publishedof exam
Use of Force Theory
Not publishedof exam
Communications + Sensitivity
Not publishedof exam
Emergency Level First Aid
Not publishedof exam
Quick Facts
- Test
- Ontario Security Guard Test
- Questions
- 60 multiple choice
- Test time
- 75 minutes
- Appointment
- Two hours total
- Cut score
- 62%
- Fee
- $35.00 + HST = $39.55
- Owner
- Ministry of the Solicitor General
- Delivered by
- Serco Canada Inc.
- Formats
- Paper or online proctored
- Results
- Within two business days
- Booking cutoff
- 15:00 previous day
- Training
- 40 in-class hours minimum
Licence Eligibility
Clean record, 18+, work legally, trained
Clean criminal record18 or olderEntitled to workTraining plus test
Guard vs Peace Officer
Security guard
- Public arrest powers only
- Must carry licence
- No badge allowed
Peace officer
- Broader arrest powers
- PSISA does not apply
- May lay charges
Never imply police status
Test Logistics
- Questions
- 60 multiple choice
- Test time
- 75 minutes
- Appointment
- Two hours total
- Cut score
- 62%
- Raw equivalent
- At least 38 of 60Derived
- Fee
- $35.00 plus HST = $39.55
- Licence fee
- $80 separate, to ServiceOntario
- Booking cutoff
- 15:00 the previous day
- Results
- Two business days (Serco)
- Refunds
- None; bookings are final
- Retake wait
- None published
- Aids allowed
- None; all materials supplied
- Languages
- English or French
Test Day Rules
- ID needed
- Government photo ID, any country
- Not accepted
- Health card, SIN card
- Late arrival
- Counts as cancellation
- Devices
- Off and under desk
- Restroom
- No breaks during test
- Food, drink
- Not permitted
- Cheating
- Test voided, mark zero
- Online kit
- Laptop, webcam, exam browser
- Online ban
- No headphones or earbuds
Licence Eligibility
- Age
- 18 or older
- Work status
- Entitled to work in Canada
- Record
- Clean criminal record required
- Training
- 40 in-class hours minimum
- First aid
- Emergency first aid + CPR
- Test
- Ministry licensing test passed
- TCN
- Training completion number
- TCN expiry
- Never expires
- Statute
- PSISA section 10 (1)
Licence Rules
- Carry
- Licence carried while working
- Identify
- Identify as guard on request
- Produce
- Show licence on request
- Format
- Digital licence only
- First term
- Ends second birthday after issue
- Renewal term
- Two years
- Renew early
- Up to 90 days
- Transfer
- Licence is not transferable
- Ownership
- Licence is Crown property
- Symbols
- No badge or extra insignia
Code of Conduct
- Honesty
- Act with honesty and integrity
- Equipment
- Use per licence conditions
- Laws
- Obey federal, provincial, municipal
- Equality
- Treat all persons equally
- Language
- No profane or abusive language
- Force
- No unnecessary force
- Lawfulness
- No prohibited or unauthorized behaviour
- Privacy
- Keep work information confidential
- Police
- Co-operate where law requires
- Citation
- O. Reg. 363/07 s.2 (1)
Conduct Prohibitions
- Impairment
- Unfit through alcohol or drugs
- Conspiracy
- No aiding code breaches
- False complaint
- None against another licensee
- Misrepresentation
- No false licence class
- Covert exception
- Concealed identity is allowed
- Breach test
- Any regulation contravention
Uniform Rules
- Chest wording
- SECURITY, at least 1.5 cm
- Back wording
- SECURITY, at least 10 cm
- Back exception
- Collared shirt, sweater, blazer
- Employer mark
- Name, logo or crest
- ID tag
- Name or licence number
- Chevrons
- Rank chevrons prohibited
- Shirt colour
- Not black or navy
- Trousers
- No non-reflective side stripes
- Hat
- No police-style forage cap
- Exempt
- Bodyguards and loss prevention
- Citation
- O. Reg. 362/07
Prohibited Words + Penalties
- Detective
- Prohibited term
- Private detective
- Prohibited term
- Law enforcement
- Prohibited term
- Police
- Prohibited term
- Officer
- Prohibited term
- Holding out
- No posing as police
- Individual fine
- Up to $25,000
- Jail
- Up to one year
- Business fine
- Up to $250,000
PSISA Basics
- Proclaimed
- August 23, 2007
- Training regulation
- In force April 15, 2010
- Guard definition
- Guarding or patrolling for pay
- Purpose
- Protecting persons or property
- Examples
- Bouncer, bodyguard, loss prevention
- Regulator
- Private Security Investigative Services Branch
- Registrar
- Makes licensing decisions
- Licence types
- Six, under section 4
- Syllabus date
- January 20, 2015
PSISA Non-Application
- Lawyers
- Barristers and solicitors practising
- Peace officers
- Acting as peace officer
- Adjusters
- Licensed insurance adjusters
- Armoured cars
- Armoured vehicle services
- Locksmiths
- Not covered
- Consultants
- Security advice only
Syllabus Hours
- Total in-class
- 40 hours minimumTraining
- Without first aid
- 33.5 hours minimumTraining
- Legal Authorities
- 7.5 in-class hours
- Emergency First Aid
- 6.5 in-class hours
- Emergency Response
- 4 in-class hours
- Effective Communications
- 4 in-class hours
- Basic Security Procedures
- 3 in-class hours
- Canadian Legal System
- 3 in-class hours
- Sensitivity Training
- 3 in-class hours
- Introduction to Industry
- 2 in-class hours
- PSISA and Code
- 2 in-class hours
- Report Writing
- 2 in-class hours
- Use of Force
- 2 in-class hours
- Health and Safety
- 1 in-class hour
Guard Core Role
Observe, Deter, Record, Report
Observe: watchDeter: presenceRecord: notesReport: escalate
Foot vs Vehicle Patrol
Foot patrol
- Most common method
- All senses usable
- Slow, limited range
Vehicle patrol
- Covers large areas
- Carries more equipment
- Engine noise masks sounds
Detail versus coverage
Emergency Response Picker
- Fire detected→Alarm, then call fire(Assist evacuation)
- Chemical spill→Evacuate and restrict access(WHMIS plan)
- Intrusion alarm→Follow site instructions(Employer defines role)
- Crime witnessed→Call police, withdraw(Safety first)
- Bomb threat→Notify police and supervisor(Radio code 10-89)
- Person injured→Give emergency first aid(Preserve life)
- Crowd escalating→Consider calling police(Weigh risks first)
Guard Core Role
- Observe
- Watch and notice changes
- Deter
- Visible presence prevents incidents
- Record
- Write accurate, timely notes
- Report
- Escalate to employer, police
- Protect
- People, property and information
- Physical intervention
- Minority of tasks
Report Questions
Who, What, When, Where, Why, How
Who: peopleWhat: eventsWhen: sequenceWhere: locationsWhy: motiveHow: method
Notebook vs Report
Notebook
- Ongoing chronological record
- Employer property
- Court memory aid
Report
- Formal incident document
- Covers all six questions
- Facts, no opinions
Raw notes versus filed record
Patrol Method Picker
- Small indoor site→Foot patrol(All senses usable)
- Large outdoor perimeter→Vehicle patrol(Faster coverage)
- Single entry point→Fixed surveillance(Cameras and mirrors)
- Stairwells and small spaces→Foot patrol(Reaches tight areas)
- Severe weather, wide area→Vehicle patrol(Weather protection)
- Very few guards available→Fixed surveillance(Lower staffing)
Patrol Types
- Foot patrol
- Most common method
- Vehicle patrol
- Covers large areas
- Surveillance
- Fixed, non-mobile watching
- Timing
- Vary so patrols stay unpredictable
- Route
- Plan alternates in advance
- Purpose
- Confirm before every patrol
- Geography
- Know shut-offs and panels
- Equipment
- Know extinguisher, kit locations
Fact vs Opinion
Fact
- What you observed
- Times and measurements
- Stands up in court
Opinion
- What you assumed
- Guesses about motive
- Weakens the report
Write only what you saw
Access Control
- Log sheet
- Name, entry and exit
- Purpose
- Locate visitors during emergencies
- Visitor pass
- Escort need and authorizer
- Material access
- Client sets removal rules
- Traffic control
- Use conventional signals
- Visibility
- Wear reflective vest or cuffs
Crowd Control Factors
- Life risk
- Danger to people, property
- Personal risk
- Danger to the guard
- Instructions
- Supervisor or client direction
- Leaving post
- Risk of abandoning position
- Backup
- Availability of support
- Escalation
- Call police when uncontrollable
Report Six Questions
- Who
- Suspects, victims, witnesses
- What
- What happened and evidence
- When
- Time, date, sequence
- Where
- Locations of people, evidence
- Why
- Motive, only if evident
- How
- How the incident happened
- Tone
- Facts, not opinions
- Style
- Clear, concise, unbiased
Notebook Rules
- Neatness
- Legible and organized
- Order
- Strictly chronological
- Pages
- Never tear pages out
- Security
- Never leave it unattended
- Ownership
- Belongs to your employer
- Court use
- Memory aid, not script
- Spelling
- Names and locations exact
Witness Statement Parts
- Identity
- Name, birth date, ID
- Contact
- Address and employment details
- Timing
- Start and finish times
- Taker
- Guard and company names
- Body
- Verbatim witness account
- Closing
- Accuracy paragraph before signing
- Corrections
- Line through, both initial
- Voluntary
- No threat or promise
WHMIS Response
- System
- National hazard information system
- Duties
- Supplier, employer, worker
- Data sheets
- Review before emergencies
- Step 1
- Initiate emergency response plan
- Step 2
- Evacuate and restrict access
- Step 3
- Call response team or emergency
- Triggers
- Spills, fires, exposure
- Companion law
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
Fire Hazards to Spot
- Storage
- Flammables near ignition sources
- Corridors
- Evacuation routes kept clear
- Exit doors
- Both sides kept accessible
- Suppressors
- Damaged or deteriorated equipment
- Alarms
- Systems must stay operative
- Guard role
- Set by employer or client
Alarm Sensors
- Infrared
- Most common; detects heat
- Physical contact
- Door or window opened
- Photo-electric
- Broken light beam
- Seismic
- Shock, like breaking glass
- Vibration
- Movement on fences
- Ultrasonic
- Rare; bounced sound waves
- Microwave
- Rare; bounced microwaves
- Electric field
- Rare; amplitude changes
- Trip wire
- Rare; physical wire contact
Alarm Response Priority
- First priority
- Your own safety
- Contact
- Stay with dispatcher or supervisor
- Crime seen
- Call police immediately
- Then
- Back off and observe
- Distance
- Watch from a safe place
- Duty of care
- What a reasonable person does
Evidence Steps
Collect, Secure, Preserve, Identify, Continuity, Log
Mark bag initialsNote time, dateFew handlersLog every transfer
Indictable vs Summary
Indictable
- More serious offences
- Arrest even off property
- Example: theft
Summary
- Less serious offences
- No off-property arrest
- Report instead
Seriousness sets arrest power
Arrest Decision
- Saw an indictable offence→Citizen's arrest allowed(s.494 (1) (a))
- Saw offence on property→Arrest if authorized(s.494 (2))
- Suspect only, saw nothing→Do not arrest(Call police)
- Summary offence, off property→No arrest power(Report only)
- Trespasser refuses to leave→Trespass Act arrest(Section 9 (1))
- Arrest has been made→Deliver forthwith to police(s.494 (3))
- Force used was excessive→You are liable(s.26)
Court Hierarchy
- Top court
- Supreme Court of Canada
- Appeal level
- Provincial courts of appeal
- Trial level
- Provincial superior courts
- Base level
- Provincial and territorial courts
- Federal stream
- Federal Court of Appeal
- Tax stream
- Tax Court of Canada
- Military
- Court Martial Appeal Court
- Tribunals
- Administrative boards, not courts
s.494 (1) vs s.494 (2)
s.494 (1)
- Anyone may arrest
- Indictable offence only
- Must find committing
s.494 (2)
- Property authority needed
- Any criminal offence
- At that time
Public power vs property power
Trespass Notice Picker
- Cultivated land, no signs→Entry already prohibited(Section 3 (1))
- Fenced or enclosed premises→Entry already prohibited(Section 3 (1))
- Red markings posted→Entry prohibited(Section 7 (1))
- Yellow markings posted→Limited activities allowed(Section 7 (2))
- You told them verbally→Oral notice is valid(Section 5 (1))
- Person stays anyway→Offence under section 2(Fine to $10,000)
Law Sources
- Criminal law
- Federal; in Criminal Code
- Provincial offences
- Under Provincial Offences Act
- By-laws
- Municipal noise, occupancy, traffic
- Indictable
- More serious offences
- Summary conviction
- Less serious offences
- Civil law
- Private disputes, not Crown
- Charter scope
- Applies to government action
- Evidence acts
- Canada and Ontario versions
Trespass vs Criminal Arrest
Trespass arrest
- Provincial offence
- Occupier or delegate
- Promptly call police
Criminal arrest
- Criminal Code offence
- Anyone, under s.494
- Deliver forthwith
Which statute authorizes you
Evidence Handling
- Step 1
- Collect
- Step 2
- Secure
- Step 3
- Preserve
- Step 4
- Identify
- Step 5
- Ensure continuity
- Step 6
- Log
- Bag marking
- Initials, time and date
- Handlers
- Keep the number small
- Chain of custody
- Document every transfer
Red vs Yellow Markings
Red markings
- Entry prohibited
- No activities permitted
- Section 7 (1)
Yellow markings
- Entry limited
- Certain activities permitted
- Section 7 (2)
Red stops; yellow limits
Arrest Powers
- Guard status
- Not police, not peace officer
- Source
- Criminal Code section 494
- s.494 (1) (a)
- Found committing indictable offence
- s.494 (1) (b)
- Fresh pursuit by lawful arresters
- s.494 (2)
- Any criminal offence on property
- Authorization
- Owner or lawful possessor
- Arrest timing
- At that time
- Delay allowed
- If police arrest infeasible
- s.494 (3)
- Deliver forthwith to peace officer
- s.494 (4)
- Arrester is authorized by law
- Must witness
- You must see it
Trespass to Property Act
- Offence 1
- Enter where entry prohibited
- Offence 2
- Do a prohibited activity
- Offence 3
- Refuse to leave immediately
- Maximum fine
- $10,000
- Notice methods
- Oral, written, signs, markings
- Red markings
- Entry prohibited
- Yellow markings
- Entry for permitted activities
- Marking size
- Holds a 10 cm circle
- No notice needed
- Cultivated land or enclosures
- Arrest power
- Occupier or authorized person
- After arrest
- Promptly call and hand over
- Colour of right
- Defence for land claims
- Aggravating factor
- Still there 24 hours later
Privacy Laws
- PIPEDA
- Federal private-sector privacy
- FIPPA
- Ontario public-sector privacy
- MFIPPA
- Municipal public-sector privacy
- Guard duty
- Do not use or disclose
- Code of Conduct
- Confidentiality also required
Force Framework Loop
Assess, plan, act, then reassess
Co-operativePassive resistantActive resistantAssaultiveGrievous harm
Section 25 vs 26
Section 25
- Justifies necessary force
- Needs reasonable grounds
- Lawful authority required
Section 26
- Punishes excess force
- No justification given
- Criminal responsibility
Authority versus accountability
Use of Force Law
- s.25
- Force necessary, reasonable grounds
- s.25 (3)
- Lethal force needs life threat
- s.26
- Criminally liable for excess
- s.34
- Self-defence must be reasonable
- s.35
- Defence of property, reasonable acts
- Trigger
- Authorized or required by law
- Code of Conduct
- No unnecessary force
National Use of Force Framework
- Centre
- Assess, plan, act loop
- Behaviour 1
- Co-operative
- Behaviour 2
- Passive resistant
- Behaviour 3
- Active resistant
- Behaviour 4
- Assaultive
- Behaviour 5
- Grievous bodily harm or death
- Response 1
- Officer presence
- Response 2
- Communication
- Response 3
- Physical control, soft or hard
- Response 4
- Intermediate weapons
- Response 5
- Lethal force
- Nature
- Situational, not a ladder
Restraint Risks
- Positional asphyxia
- Restraint position blocks breathing
- Position rule
- Never hold someone face down
- Chest rule
- No pressure on chest
- Excited delirium
- Severe agitation, violent behaviour
- Handling
- Avoid agitating or exciting
- Causes
- Drugs, illness, injury, fever
- Outcome risk
- Sudden, unexpected death
Communication Rules
Brief, explicit, concise, understood, not antagonistic
Be briefBe explicitBe conciseBe understoodNot antagonistic
Communication Rules
- Rule 1
- Be brief
- Rule 2
- Be explicit
- Rule 3
- Be concise
- Rule 4
- Make sure you are understood
- Rule 5
- Do not be antagonistic
- Channels
- Report, phone, radio, email
- Non-verbal
- Posture, gestures, eye contact
- Telephone
- Tone, volume, cadence only
- Tactical
- Adjust style to the audience
- Goal
- Assertive, not confrontational
Core 10-Codes
- 10-3
- Stop transmitting
- 10-4
- Message received
- 10-7
- Out of service
- 10-8
- In service
- 10-9
- Repeat
- 10-12
- Stand by
- 10-18
- Urgent
- 10-20
- Advise to location
- 10-22
- Disregard
- 10-23
- Arrived at scene
- 10-24
- Assignment complete
Emergency 10-Codes
- 10-31
- Crime in progress
- 10-32
- Person with gun
- 10-33
- Emergency, all units standby
- 10-34
- Riot
- 10-50
- Traffic accident
- 10-52
- Request ambulance
- 10-70
- Fire alarm
- 10-73
- Smoke report
- 10-80
- Pursuit in progress
- 10-89
- Bomb threat
- 10-90
- Bank alarm
- 10-95
- Subject in custody
- 10-99
- Wanted or stolen
Human Rights Grounds
- Origin group
- Race, ancestry, place, colour
- Identity group
- Ethnic origin, citizenship, creed
- Personal group
- Sex, sexual orientation, age
- Status group
- Marital, family status, disability
- Source
- Code of Conduct clause (d)
- Also binding
- Ontario Human Rights Code
Sensitivity Topics
- Prejudice sources
- Ethnicity, education, religion, gender
- Self-check
- Identify your own biases
- Risk
- Miscommunication across backgrounds
- Accessibility law
- AODA, 2005
- Duty
- Treat everyone equally
First Aid Aims
Preserve life, prevent injury, promote recovery
Preserve lifePrevent injuryPromote recovery
First Aid Priority
- Scene is unsafe→Do not enter(Protect yourself first)
- Conscious adult choking→Back blows, then thrusts(Repeat until cleared)
- Casualty is unresponsive→Start CPR(30 compressions, 2 breaths)
- Severe bleeding→Apply direct pressure(Preserve life)
- Restrained person face down→Reposition immediately(Positional asphyxia risk)
- Responders arrive→Give scene history(Identify as first-aider)
First Aid Aims
- Definition
- Care before medical help arrives
- Aim 1
- Preserve life
- Aim 2
- Prevent further injury
- Aim 3
- Promote recovery
- First responders
- Ambulance, police, fire
- Handover
- Say you are a first-aider
Emergency First Aid Topics
- Topic 1
- Emergency scene management
- Topic 2
- Shock, unconsciousness, fainting
- Topic 3
- Choking in adults
- Topic 4
- Severe bleeding
- Topic 5
- One-rescuer adult CPR
- CPR ratio
- 30 compressions, 2 breathsCanadian standard
- Adult choking
- 5 back blows, 5 thrustsCanadian standard
- If unresponsive
- Start CPR
First Aid Certificate Rule
- Standard
- St. John Ambulance equivalent
- Regulation
- O. Reg. 26/10 first aid
- Delivery
- In person, at least 6.5 hours
- Instructor
- St. John or WSIB certified
- Interim certificates
- Not accepted
- No certificate
- Training incomplete; cannot book
- Opt-out
- Valid certificate already held
Emergency Scene Duties
- Belongings
- Protect the casualty's property
- Bystanders
- Keep unnecessary people away
- Family
- Reassure friends and relatives
- Handover
- Give scene and casualty history
- Employer policy
- Follow first aid reporting rules
Common Traps
Guard powers vs police
Guards use section 494 ≠ Police hold peace-officer powers
Two published fees
Serco charges $39.55 ≠ Study guide prints $75.15
Cut score vs question count
Ministry publishes 62% only ≠ 38 of 60 is derived
Trespass fine vs PSISA fine
Trespass maximum is $10,000 ≠ PSISA maximum is $25,000
Section 25 vs section 26
Section 25 justifies force ≠ Section 26 punishes excess
Notice colours
Red prohibits all entry ≠ Yellow permits some activities
Uniform lettering sizes
Chest letters 1.5 cm ≠ Back letters 10 cm
Training hours
40 hours with first aid ≠ 33.5 hours without it
Two results timelines
Serco says two days ≠ Study guide says five
Syllabus hours vs weights
Hours are training time ≠ Test weights not published
Last Minute
- 1.60 questions | 75 minutes
- 2.Cut score is 62%
- 3.Fee $39.55 including HST
- 4.Book by 15:00 previous day
- 5.Guards use Criminal Code 494
- 6.After arrest, deliver to police
- 7.Trespass fine maximum $10,000
- 8.PSISA fine maximum $25,000
- 9.Red = no entry; yellow = limited
- 10.Section 25 justifies; 26 punishes
- 11.Chest 1.5 cm; back 10 cm
- 12.Who what when where why how
- 13.CPR = 30 compressions, 2 breaths
- 14.Never restrain someone face down
- 15.Carry licence; show on request
- 16.Training = 40 hours with first aid
- 17.Code of Conduct: treat all equally
- 18.Notebook: chronological, no torn pages
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