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Security licensing enforcement

Last updated on January 4, 2024

Learn how the B.C. government enforces rules and standards for security workers and security businesses. 

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Inspections

Security inspectors regularly check if security workers and businesses are following the rules.

During an inspection, a security inspector might:

  • Go into a building or property
  • Inspect documents or equipment
  • Ask questions
  • Copy or take things away

Everyone must let security inspectors do their work. 

Complaints

​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.

To make a complaint

  1. Complete the complaint form (PDF, 171KB)
  2. Send the form to the attention of Compliance and Enforcement at the Security Programs Division

If you mail the form

Address the envelope to the attention of Compliance and Enforcement.

After you make a complaint

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.

Investigations

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:

  • Go to a location
  • Gather evidence
  • Ask questions
  • Talk to people
  • Copy or take things away

Offences and penalties

Committing an offence means breaking the rules.

If a security worker or business breaks the rules, they may:

Violation tickets

Administrative penalties

An administrative penalty means the security worker or business has to pay a fine. The penalty can be up to:

  • $5,000 for security workers
  • $50,000 for security businesses

Security Programs Division (SPD) gives administrative penalties. Before they can give a penalty, SPD must consider:

  • Whether the worker or business has broken a similar rule before
  • How serious the contravention is
  • Whether anyone was hurt
  • Whether the worker or business broke the rules on purpose

Suspensions and cancellations

Security workers and businesses can have their licence suspended or cancelled. This may happen if the worker or business:

  • Goes against the Security Services Act or Regulations, including the Code of Conduct
  • Breaks their licence conditions
  • Breaks the security work code of conduct
  • Gets charged with or convicted of a crime
  • Puts someone in danger

Process

SPD usually holds a hearing before they suspend or cancel a licence. Depending on the situation, the worker or business might:

  • Explain their case in writing
  • Go to the hearing (or join virtually)

If someone is in danger, SPD doesn't hold a hearing. They:

  • Suspend or cancel the licence immediately
  • Explain the reason in writing to the worker or business

After they get the reasons, the worker or business has 15 days to respond in writing. SPD will decide whether to:

  • Keep the licence suspended or cancelled
  • Lift the suspension or cancellation
  • Give a different fine or penalty