When a crime happens on duty in Ontario, security guards should report to the police immediately.

Picture this: you’re a security guard patrolling a busy Ontario site when something goes wrong—a criminal act unfolds in front of you. In a split second, your decision can shape safety for everyone nearby. So, what should be your very first move?

The simple, crucial answer: report the incident to the police immediately. It sounds straightforward, but it’s the cornerstone of responsible security work. Let me explain why this step matters, how it fits into a clear response process, and what you can do to be ready when the unexpected happens.

First things first: why the police come first

When a criminal offense occurs on duty, you’re not just a witness—you’re a link in a chain that connects the scene, the public, and the legal system. The police are trained to manage dangerous situations, preserve evidence, and pursue appropriate actions under the law. By calling them right away, you’re:

• Securing public safety: A rapid police response helps prevent escalation and protects bystanders.

• Preserving evidence: The sooner police arrive, the fresher the evidence—things like surveillance footage, discarded items, and eyewitness accounts.

• Supporting the investigation: Your observations can become key details in the early stages of inquiry.

• Reducing liability risk: Acting under established procedures reduces the chance that a later misunderstanding could complicate liability for you or your employer.

Think of it like this: you’re the person who notices the earliest crack in the wall; the police are the ones who bring the tools to stabilize the structure. You’re not taking over the job; you’re initiating the professional response.

What not to do first (and why)

Let’s be honest: the moment is stressful, and the urge to act can feel urgent. But certain actions, if attempted without police involvement, can create trouble or complicate what happens next.

• Don’t try to arrest on your own: Attempting to detain a suspect without lawful authority or the right amount of force can lead to legal trouble for you and even violent outcomes. Police have the necessary training to handle arrests, use of force, and safety concerns in a controlled way.

• Don’t wait until the end of your shift: Delaying the report gives potential suspects more time to disappear, destroys time-sensitive evidence, and can erode trust with the public and the client.

• Don’t rely only on a supervisor as the first contact: A supervisor can be a valuable part of the response, but the police must be notified as soon as it’s safe to do so. The supervisor should be informed promptly, but it should not delay the initial call to emergency services.

Where the supervisor fits in

Calling your supervisor is a sensible and necessary step, but it isn’t the ‘first move’ in a real-time incident. Here’s how the chain should look in practice:

• You call the police immediately.

• If you can do so safely, alert your supervisor right after or while you’re making the call, and provide key details.

• Your supervisor coordinates the on-site response, documents the incident, and ensures that the client is informed.

• The supervisor or a designated team member may assist with non-emergency communications, such as internal reporting and following up with the client.

That sequence keeps the police involved from the outset, while still making sure your employer is in the loop and ready to support you.

What to do right after you call the police

Once the line is open with emergency services, you’ll want to stabilize the scene and gather information in a careful, methodical way. Here are practical steps you can follow:

• Ensure scene safety: If there’s any ongoing danger, remove bystanders to a safe area and avoid placing yourself in harm’s way. Your goal is to create space for responders to work.

• Preserve evidence: Don’t touch or move items that could be part of the crime scene unless it’s to prevent immediate harm. If you have CCTV access, note the exact camera views and times that could help the investigation.

• Document what you saw: Jot down everything—date, time, location, a description of what happened, the sequence of events, people involved, and any witnesses. Your notes should be objective and specific.

• Identify witnesses: If there are people who saw the incident, try to gather contact information without pressuring them or compromising the scene. However, avoid leading questions or speculation.

• Record responses from responders: When police arrive, provide your account succinctly and accurately. If asked to give a formal statement later, you’ll rely on the notes you’ve taken on site.

• Avoid discussing blame on social media or with bystanders: The scene is fluid, and premature conclusions can mislead or misrepresent the facts.

The Ontario context: training and due diligence

In Ontario, security professionals operate within a framework that emphasizes safety, responsibility, and respect for the law. While every site may have its own protocols, certain principles hold steady:

• Communication: Clear, calm, and timely communication with police and supervisors helps keep everyone aligned.

• Use of force: Any force used must be reasonable and strictly necessary under the circumstances. Training covers what that means in a real-world setting.

• Documentation: Thorough incident reporting is not just paperwork; it’s part of the evidence chain that can influence outcomes for victims and suspects alike.

• Evidence preservation: Whether you’re watching a shopping mall, an office building, or a hospital campus, preserving CCTV footage, access logs, and physical clues is part of your duty.

Training can make all the difference here. A solid program helps you practice the exact steps you’ll take when a crime occurs, so you aren’t improvising under pressure. It’s about building muscle memory for responses that feel natural, not scripted.

Turning theory into ready-to-use habits

Let’s translate this into everyday duties you’ll perform on the floor.

• Pre-shift readiness: Review site-specific procedures and know the quickest route to the nearest police contact point. Have your radio or phone ready, with emergency numbers on speed dial.

• On-site practice: Run through hypothetical scenarios with your team. What would you do if a theft occurs in a crowded lobby? What if someone is injured? Rehearsing the sequence—observe, notify, assist, document—helps you act without overthinking when it matters.

• Quick notes after events: Develop a habit of jotting a concise incident snapshot immediately after a call. Time, place, people, actions taken, and who you notified. Good notes save time later when the formal report is written.

• Post-incident debrief: A brief meeting after a major event can help the team identify what went well and what could be improved, without turning into finger-pointing. It’s about learning and staying safe.

A few practical tips you’ll appreciate

• Keep your comms crisp: Use plain language with police and colleagues. If you’re unsure about a detail, say so and offer to verify later.

• Respect privacy: Handle victims’ information with care. Don’t share sensitive details outside the chain of command.

• Leverage technology: CCTV, access logs, and digital incident reporting tools are your allies. Learn how to retrieve and reference them quickly.

• Practice emotional discipline: Crises can shake you. It helps to slow your breathing, stay focused on the next safe step, and rely on your training.

Real-world flavor: a simple scenario to visualize the flow

Imagine a confrontation in a mall corridor. A bag snatcher grabs a shopper’s purse and bolts. The crowd swells; a few people chase, others call out. Your first move is to call the police from a safe location, describing the suspect as best you can: clothing, direction of travel, number of people involved. While you wait for officers, you secure the shopper, assess any injuries, and keep the suspect in view if you can do so safely. You then brief your supervisor and document the scene. When police arrive, you give a precise account and hand over any evidence you’ve preserved. Later, you assist with a debrief and follow-up reports. It’s a sequence that protects people, supports the investigation, and keeps everyone accountable.

A closing thought: your core duty, in one line

When a criminal offense occurs on duty, your first action should be to report the incident to the police immediately. It’s not just about paperwork; it’s about safeguarding the public, preserving evidence, and ensuring the right professionals take the next steps. You’re the bridge between a moment of danger and a lawful resolution, and that’s a responsibility you carry with care.

If you’re in the field, remember this: stay calm, act quickly, and rely on clear procedure. Training helps you do exactly that. When you’re prepared, you can respond with confidence, protect people, and support the justice process—through every calm moment and every crisis that follows. And if you want to keep these ideas fresh, look for ways to reinforce the steps in your daily routine—quick drills, updated contact lists, and a simple, dependable incident log ever at hand.

Resources and next steps

• Review your site’s emergency contact list and posting requirements before shifts.

• Practice brief, factual incident notes so they’re ready to plug into a formal report.

• Seek out hands-on drills that simulate on-site incidents and police coordination.

• Stay current on local guidelines about reporting, evidence handling, and use of force.

You’re not alone in this. The right training, the right mindset, and a steady process can turn a tense moment into a safer outcome for everyone involved. And in the end, that’s what good security is all about—protecting people, assets, and the peace of mind we all deserve.