Manitoba faces calls to change rules that let untrained security guards work with temporary licences

Manitoba is facing calls to update its regulations for security guards, including changing a temporary licence that allows them to work without training, after a video emerged this week showing a guard at a retail store beating an alleged shoplifter with what police say were brass knuckles.

"The expectations of security have gone way beyond what we ever were," said Peter de Beer, general manager of Tataskweyak Security Inc., a private security company based in northern Manitoba.

"If they're not properly trained, you're going to see a lot of things happen, and people will get injured."

To work in Manitoba, a security guard needs a licence, which is issued following an application process that includes showing proof of having completed a valid security guard training program. 

However, a person who hasn't completed that training can apply for a temporary licence, valid for six months.

A spokesperson for the province told CBC News temporary licence holders can work as security guards, but the temporary licence cannot be extended or renewed.

During the 2024-25 fiscal year, 161 temporary licences were issued, according to the province.

Temporary licences are granted only in exceptional circumstances and are intended for hard-to-fill positions where a company is at an immediate need of guards, the province said.

The temporary licences are only issued when the registrar is satisfied there are no security concerns and no reasonable alternatives exist, the spokesperson said.

But Tataskweyak Security's de Beer said temporary licences can allow someone who has no experience or knowledge about being a security guard to work as one, making them a potential public safety risk. 

"The demand that we have on security, it's got to start catching up with the times," he said. "It's getting a lot more serious."

An untrained guard may not know, for example, "are you allowed to use force, or you're not allowed to use force? And if you are allowed, when does it come that you use force?" he said. "This would cause a huge problem."

Temporary licences have been used to make it easier for candidates with background in law enforcement to transition into working as security guards, de Beer said.  

They have also been used as an incentive to encourage people to pursue a career in the field by reducing the delay between finishing training and getting certified to work, which can be useful to fill staffing gaps.