Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST) Practice Exam 2024

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, to justify the use of force what would be required?

1. You must decide if the person my escape

2. You must be acting on reasonable grounds

3. A security guard can decide

4. The person keeps using profanity

The correct answer is: You must be acting on reasonable grounds

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, a security guard (or anyone else) is allowed to use reasonable force under certain circumstances. The key term here is "reasonable", meaning the amount of force used should not exceed what is necessary to manage the situation in the circumstances. Furthermore, one should have a reasonable basis or grounds for using force, meaning there should be a justification that a reasonable person would also see as valid. This would often involve immediate threat or harm to oneself or others. Conversely, using force based purely on someone possibly escaping, a security guard's personal decision, or someone using profanity, would not typically be seen as reasonable or justified under most ordinary circumstances. Please note that excessive or unjustified use of force can lead to criminal charges or civil action. Therefore, it's crucial to fully understand and accurately apply this principle in security work. The correct course of action would largely depend on the situation and its intensity. It's always recommended that security personnel seek to de-escalate conflicts whenever possible rather than resort to force.