It is important to know your rights when interacting with private security guards who patrol private property.

SecurityAndYou.ca explains:

• what the role is of different types of private security guards in BC, and what they can and cannot do,
• what your rights are when interacting with a security guard, and
• what to do if you have a complaint about how you are treated by a guard.

Property owners are entitled to set rules about who can access their property and the kind of behaviour that is expected, as long as those rules do not infringe on traits protected in human rights legislation, such as race, religion or disability. 

Some commonly applied rules in privately owned public spaces such as malls, restaurants, movie theatres, etc., are:

• No shoes, no shirt, no service;
• No loitering; or
• No pets allowed.

It is a security patrol guard's job to protect property and public safety, and to enforce rules set by property owners in a way that is fair, professional and non-discriminatory.

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When Interacting With a Patrol Guard, Everyone Has a Right:

• To receive the same level of treatment and courtesy as others regardless of their ancestry, colour, place of origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, marital or family status or any combination of these factors;
  
  
• To be treated with respect and dignity while accessing services;
  
  
• To be judged by their actions, not their appearance;
  
  
• To ask why they are being banned from property;
  
  
• To see a licensed guards ID and license;
  
  
• To know why they are being detained or arrested;
  
  
• To keep silent and speak with a lawyer if detained or arrested; and
  
  
• To report a guard that abuses them, swears at them, or violates their rights.
  

If you are in a situation where you feel these rights are not being respected, it will help to know more about the role of security and what a patrol guard can and cannot do.

See The Role of Security for full information.

If you have a complaint about how you have been treated by a security guard, you have several options, which are spelled out in the Complaint and Reporting Options section of Security and You.

The Resources and Links sections provide contact information for organizations that can help you understand your rights and / or file a complaint, references to laws, and community information about the private security industry in BC.

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