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Filing a Complaint with the Ministry
Filing a Complaint About a Licensed Guard with the Ministry
If a licensed security guard abuses you, swears at you, or violates your rights, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
In BC, licensed guards are regulated by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. It’s the regulator’s job to protect and safeguard the public interest.
Filing a complaint is free.
Complaints can be about licensing of a security business or security employee, about the conduct or behaviour of a security employee, or about the use of equipment.
Anyone who has a complaint against a licensed security guard or a licensed security business has a right to say what happened and to be listened to.
If the guard is not licensed, complain directly to the guard's employer. Speak directly with someone in authority, such as a manager or supervisor. Internal complaint procedures can also help resolve misunderstandings with licensed guards.
How to Make a Complaint to the Ministry about a Licensed Guard
The Security Programs and Police Technology Division of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is responsible for dealing with complaints against licensed security staff and licensed security firms in BC.
Complaints must be made in writing within one year of the incident.
The Ministry prefers to receive complaints on a standard complaint form that can be downloaded and mailed in. The online complaint form allows you to type your information directly into the form and then print it, or print it and fill it in by hand.
You can also contact the Ministry to request a form by email or mail. Once you have a form, fill it out and return it to the Ministry.
Once a complaint is received by the Ministry and it is determined that it is an issue that falls under their authority, an inspector will be assigned to investigate the circumstance(s) and report the findings to the Registrar.
A letter will be sent to the person who lodged the complaint advising them that an inspector will investigate. The letter may also advise the person of other complaint options.
Valid complaints may result in corrective action, such as issuing a warning notice, a violation ticket, or reconsidering the status of a license.
Where the Ministry determines that they do not have authority to act on the particulars of a complaint, the person complaining will be advised and directed to a more appropriate agency.
Check out the enforcement program of the Ministry's website for more information.
Other Options:
Both licensed and unlicensed guards can also be sued in a civil lawsuit for improper conduct. You should speak to a lawyer or contact one of the low-cost legal services listed for assistance.
Pivot Legal Society in Vancouver has done some exceptional work to ensure police are accountable to the citizen's of the downtown east side of Vancouver. They plan to launch a small claims manual that may assist people in launching civil suits.
Staff at the Security and Police Technology Division can provide access and assistance to forms and complaint protocols.
If you need help filing a complaint, contact the BC Civil Liberties Association at 604.630.9754 or email them at info@bccla.org, or you can contact a low cost legal service listed in the links section of this site.
Security Programs and Police Technology Division,
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
PO Box 9217 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9J1
Call: in Victoria 250.387.3374
Fax: 250.387.4454
Email: sgspdsec@gov.bc.ca
You can reach this office toll free by calling Service BC
In Vancouver: 604.660.2421
Elsewhere in BC call 1.800.663.7867.