Strengthening Ontario's Private Security Industry

On December 9, 2004, the provincial government introduced the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA). The bill received Royal Assent on December 15, 2006, and the majority of the regulations were put in place in 2007. Among other things, the new legislation makes licensing and training mandatory for all security personnel, and sets standards for uniforms, equipment and vehicles.

The new legislation and the regulations are a response to the recommendations of the Shand Inquest jury.

On September 14, 1999, Patrick Shand, 31, died of restraint asphyxia, following a struggle with a security guard and others who were attempting to detain him for shoplifting. A coroner's inquest was held in 2004, and the jury delivered 22 recommendations to improve and enhance private security training and policies.

The ministry has consulted widely with the private security industry and has, since the law came into force adopted regulations and developed standards giving effect to most of the recommendations of the Shand Inquest jury. The Training and Testing regulation is the latest of these initiatives to strengthen the private security industry.

As a result of the operation of the legislation, more than 67,000 security guards and private investigators in the province are now licensed compared to 32,000 before the law came into effect.

All private security practitioners are now subject to:

• a strict licensing standard to ensure licensed security guards and private investigators do not have serious criminal histories
• a training and testing regime to ensure practitioners have the skills required to perform their jobs professionally and competently
• a Code of Conduct
• a complaints process
• uniform and vehicle standards that prohibit security guards from appearing to be police officers
• equipment standards prohibiting dangerous or unauthorized weapons

Mandatory licensing

PSISA makes licensing and training mandatory for all private security personnel, including
in-house security staff, such as those working for retailers and bars.

Training and testing standards

New training and testing standards come into force on April 15, 2010. These new standards set out competencies and examinations for applicants and current licence holders.

As of that date, applicants for a licence to work as a private investigator or as a security guard will have to undergo the basic training prescribed by the ministry and pass a test before they can be licensed. Current licence holders are not required to undergo the training but as of
July 16, 2010, must pass the test in order to renew their licence.

The basic training curricula for security guards and private investigators are now available on the ministry's website. Public colleges have incorporated these curricula into their justice studies programs.