Ontario Security Guard Test Use of Force Framework 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the legal concept of 'excessive force'?
- Any use of physical force by a security guard
- Force that goes beyond what is reasonably necessary to achieve a lawful objective (Correct answer)
- Force used against a person who is not resisting
- Force that causes any injury
Correct answer: Force that goes beyond what is reasonably necessary to achieve a lawful objective
Excessive force is force that exceeds what a reasonable person would consider necessary in the circumstances. It can result in criminal charges (assault) and civil liability even if the initial use of force was justified.
Question 2: What is an 'intermediate weapon' in the Use of Force Continuum?
- Any weapon of medium size
- Tools such as batons, pepper spray, or handcuffs that fall between empty-hand techniques and lethal force (Correct answer)
- A negotiation technique between soft and hard approaches
- A firearm with reduced power
Correct answer: Tools such as batons, pepper spray, or handcuffs that fall between empty-hand techniques and lethal force
Intermediate weapons are tools that provide more force than empty-hand techniques but less than lethal force. They include batons, pepper spray (OC spray), handcuffs, and similar devices.
Question 3: When is a security guard permitted to use lethal force?
- Whenever they feel their life might be in danger
- Only when they reasonably believe that lethal force is the only way to prevent death or grievous bodily harm to themselves or others (Correct answer)
- Never, security guards cannot use lethal force
- When protecting high-value property
Correct answer: Only when they reasonably believe that lethal force is the only way to prevent death or grievous bodily harm to themselves or others
Lethal force may only be used as an absolute last resort when the guard reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent death or grievous bodily harm. This is the highest threshold on the force continuum.
Question 4: What is a 'use of force report' and when must it be completed?
- Only when police are involved
- A detailed written account of any incident where force was used, which must be completed as soon as possible after the incident (Correct answer)
- A monthly summary of all security activities
- A report filed only when injuries occur
Correct answer: A detailed written account of any incident where force was used, which must be completed as soon as possible after the incident
A use of force report must be completed after any incident where physical force was used, regardless of whether injuries occurred. It should be written as soon as possible while details are fresh.
Question 5: What is the concept of 'preclusion' in use of force?
- Refusing to engage with a suspect
- Having exhausted or considered all lesser force options before escalating to a higher level (Correct answer)
- A legal term for dismissed charges
- Preventing a person from entering a building
Correct answer: Having exhausted or considered all lesser force options before escalating to a higher level
Preclusion means that before using a higher level of force, the guard must have considered or attempted lesser options. If lesser force options were available and not attempted, the higher force may be deemed excessive.
Question 6: What physical warning signs indicate that a person may become violent?
- Smiling and making eye contact
- Clenched fists, bladed stance, removal of clothing or jewelry, and rapid breathing (Correct answer)
- Sitting down quietly
- Talking on a phone
Correct answer: Clenched fists, bladed stance, removal of clothing or jewelry, and rapid breathing
Physical warning signs include clenched fists, standing in a fighting stance (bladed), removing items that could be grabbed (glasses, jewelry), rapid breathing, facial flushing, and widened eyes.
Ontario Security Guard Test Use of Force Framework 4
What is the legal concept of 'excessive force'?