Ontario Security Guard Test Use of Force Framework 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'excited delirium' and why is it relevant to security use of force?
- A state of extreme happiness
- A medical emergency characterized by extreme agitation, hyperthermia, and abnormal strength, often associated with substance use (Correct answer)
- A legal defence for using excessive force
- A type of crowd control technique
Correct answer: A medical emergency characterized by extreme agitation, hyperthermia, and abnormal strength, often associated with substance use
Excited delirium involves extreme agitation, abnormal strength, high body temperature, and resistance to pain. Individuals in this state require medical attention and are at elevated risk of sudden death during restraint.
Question 2: What is the security guard's duty of care after restraining a person?
- No duty once the person is restrained
- To continuously monitor the person's condition, ensure they can breathe, check for injuries, and summon medical aid if needed (Correct answer)
- To leave the person alone until police arrive
- To tighten restraints if the person struggles
Correct answer: To continuously monitor the person's condition, ensure they can breathe, check for injuries, and summon medical aid if needed
Once a person is restrained, the guard has a duty to monitor their breathing, check for injuries, avoid prone positions, and call for medical assistance. The duty of care continues until the person is handed over to authorities.
Question 3: Can a security guard use force to protect property?
- Yes, lethal force if necessary
- Yes, reasonable force may be used to prevent criminal damage to property, but not lethal force (Correct answer)
- No, force can never be used to protect property
- Only with a special property protection permit
Correct answer: Yes, reasonable force may be used to prevent criminal damage to property, but not lethal force
Reasonable force may be used to prevent criminal damage to property, but the force must be proportional. Lethal force is never justified solely to protect property — only to protect human life.
Question 4: What is 'hard physical control' in the Use of Force Continuum?
- Using verbal commands firmly
- Techniques involving strikes, punches, or kicks to gain physical control of a resistant subject (Correct answer)
- Using handcuffs gently
- Standing in an authoritative stance
Correct answer: Techniques involving strikes, punches, or kicks to gain physical control of a resistant subject
Hard physical control includes techniques like strikes, punches, and kicks used to overcome active resistance. These are higher on the force continuum and require stronger justification.
Question 5: What training is required before a security guard can carry a baton in Ontario?
- No training is required
- Completion of an approved use of force training program that includes baton techniques (Correct answer)
- A police recommendation letter
- Five years of security experience
Correct answer: Completion of an approved use of force training program that includes baton techniques
Before carrying a baton or any intermediate weapon, a security guard must complete approved training that covers proper use, legal considerations, and the circumstances under which the weapon may be deployed.
Question 6: What is the 'totality of circumstances' principle in use of force evaluation?
- Only the final outcome matters
- All factors present at the time — threat level, environment, number of subjects, guard's training, and available options — are considered together (Correct answer)
- Only the guard's actions are evaluated
- Only the subject's actions are evaluated
Correct answer: All factors present at the time — threat level, environment, number of subjects, guard's training, and available options — are considered together
The totality of circumstances principle means courts consider everything: the threat, the environment, the guard's training and experience, the number of people involved, available alternatives, and all other relevant factors.
Ontario Security Guard Test Use of Force Framework 3
What is 'excited delirium' and why is it relevant to security use of force?