ABST Use of Force and Conflict Resolution 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What principle guides the level of force a security guard should use when responding to a situation?
- Maximum force to ensure compliance
- Minimum force necessary to control the situation (Correct answer)
- Force equal to what the subject uses regardless of context
- No force under any circumstances
Correct answer: Minimum force necessary to control the situation
Security guards are required to use only the minimum amount of force necessary to control a situation, ensuring the response is proportionate to the threat.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of de-escalation techniques for a security guard?
- To delay a response until police arrive
- To reduce tension and resolve a conflict without physical intervention (Correct answer)
- To demonstrate authority over a subject
- To gather evidence before making an arrest
Correct answer: To reduce tension and resolve a conflict without physical intervention
De-escalation techniques aim to reduce tension and resolve conflicts peacefully, avoiding the need for physical intervention whenever possible.
Question 3: Under the Canadian Criminal Code, a security guard performing a citizen's arrest may detain a person who:
- Is suspected of any crime at any time
- Is found committing a criminal offence (Correct answer)
- Appears suspicious based on appearance
- Is loitering on private property
Correct answer: Is found committing a criminal offence
Under Section 494 of the Criminal Code, a citizen's arrest is lawful when a person is actually found committing an indictable offence.
Question 4: The Use of Force Continuum is best described as:
- A legal document authorizing security guards to use any force
- A model showing escalating levels of control options matched to subject behaviour (Correct answer)
- A training schedule for combat techniques
- A policy requiring security guards to call police before acting
Correct answer: A model showing escalating levels of control options matched to subject behaviour
The Use of Force Continuum is a framework that outlines escalating response options available to security personnel, matched to the level of subject resistance or threat.
Question 5: When a security guard first approaches a potentially aggressive person, what should their initial response be?
- Physically restrain the person immediately to prevent harm
- Use verbal communication and attempt to calm the situation (Correct answer)
- Call for backup before making any contact
- Issue a written warning and withdraw
Correct answer: Use verbal communication and attempt to calm the situation
The first step in conflict resolution is verbal communication — talking calmly can often resolve a situation without any physical intervention.
Question 6: Which of the following actions by a security guard would most likely constitute 'excessive force'?
- Verbally asking a trespasser to leave
- Using physical restraint on a person actively fighting
- Striking an already-restrained and compliant subject (Correct answer)
- Standing in the path of a fleeing shoplifter
Correct answer: Striking an already-restrained and compliant subject
Striking a subject who is already restrained and compliant goes beyond what is necessary to control the situation and constitutes excessive force.
Question 7: Under Section 494 of the Criminal Code, after performing a citizen's arrest, a security guard must:
- Detain the person indefinitely until a court date
- Deliver the person to a peace officer as soon as reasonably possible (Correct answer)
- Impose a fine and release the individual
- Hold the person until the property owner decides what to do
Correct answer: Deliver the person to a peace officer as soon as reasonably possible
After a citizen's arrest, the law requires the arresting person to deliver the detained individual to a peace officer as soon as reasonably possible.
ABST Use of Force and Conflict Resolution 1
What principle guides the level of force a security guard should use when responding to a situation?