We've reorganized and simplified content about security industry licensing. Things may look different, but policies and processes haven't changed.
Learn how the B.C. government enforces rules and standards for security workers and security businesses.
Security inspectors regularly check if security workers and businesses are following the rules.
During an inspection, a security inspector might:
Everyone must let security inspectors do their work.
Anyone can make a complaint about a security worker or business. Complaints can't be anonymous. They must be submitted on a complaint form.
The complaint must be related to at least one of these:
The complaints process policy provides detailed information about making and investigating complaints.
Address the envelope to the attention of Compliance and Enforcement.
The Registrar of Security Services will decide whether to accept your complaint and let you know what their decision is. If you're not satisfied, you can ask for reconsideration or make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsperson.
If the Registrar accepted your complaint, they will decide if the worker or business broke the rules. If so, the Registrar may give them a penalty. The Registrar will let you know when the investigation is complete.
The Registrar of Security Services may investigate security workers and businesses. The purpose is to determine if they are following the rules.
Investigations may happen because of complaints or other credible information. They help the Registrar find out what happened and what penalty may be appropriate.
During an investigation, a security investigator might:
Committing an offence means breaking the rules.
If a security worker or business breaks the rules, they may:
An administrative penalty means the security worker or business has to pay a fine. The penalty can be up to:
Security Programs Division (SPD) gives administrative penalties. Before they can give a penalty, SPD must consider:
Security workers and businesses can have their licence suspended or cancelled. This may happen if the worker or business:
SPD usually holds a hearing before they suspend or cancel a licence. Depending on the situation, the worker or business might:
If someone is in danger, SPD doesn't hold a hearing. They:
After they get the reasons, the worker or business has 15 days to respond in writing. SPD will decide whether to: