A security guard may use physical force to remove a trespasser in Ontario

Ever wondered what a security guard can actually do when someone wanders onto private property and won’t budge? It’s one of those questions that sounds simple until you unpack the rules that sit beneath it. In Ontario, the straightforward answer is: a security guard may use reasonable force to remove a trespasser from the property. But there’s a lot more nuance behind that short line. Let’s break it down in a way that’s practical, clear, and a little bit human.

The heart of the rule: remove a trespasser, stay within the lines

Think about a private office, a shopping center, or a gated lot. The property owner has rights to control who can be on the premises. When someone is unlawfully present, the guard’s job is to keep people safe and to protect the space. In that context, removing the trespasser from the property is a legitimate action, and, if necessary, it can involve a physical escort to move them off the grounds. The key word here is “reasonable.” The force used should be no more than what’s needed to achieve the goal: to get the person to leave without escalating danger to anyone else.

Let’s be precise about what that means in the real world. If a trespasser is present, a guard might guide them away, block access to restricted areas, or intervene in a calm, controlled manner to prevent entry. If the situation demands it, they may use hand-on-shoulder type guidance or a light, protective touch to escort the person away—never to punish, but to restore safety and order. The important limits are: keep it proportional, avoid aggression, and stop as soon as the person leaves or the threat dissipates. And yes, the guard should call for backup or law enforcement if the circumstances require it.

What about the other options? A closer look

A lot of people wonder about other scenarios—detaining someone for questioning, feeling threatened, or acting under emergency measures. Here’s why those don’t carry the same allowance for physical force:

• Detaining someone for questioning (option B): In Ontario, private security personnel aren’t police officers. Detaining a person for questioning is bound by strict legal standards and must be based on probable cause or reasonable grounds. It isn’t a free pass to grab, restrain, or hold someone indefinitely. When in doubt, the right move is to de-escalate, observe, and involve the appropriate authorities. Physical force to detain, without solid grounds, can land you in serious trouble and undermine safety rather than protect it.

• Feeling threatened (option C): A subjective feeling isn’t enough on its own to justify force. Real-world security work hinges on objective assessment: what is happening, who is involved, what is the immediate risk? The goal is to resolve the situation with the least amount of force necessary, prioritizing de-escalation and distance before any physical intervention.

• Emergency measures only (option D): Emergency measures are for life-threatening events or grave danger, not routine security enforcement. Relying solely on “emergency” powers can mislead you into thinking you can act without limits. In normal security work, you follow established procedures, escalate when needed, and act within the law.

Reasonable and proportionate: the wheels of fairness turning

Why does “reasonable and proportionate” matter? It keeps guards safe, protects the public, and preserves the rights of everyone involved. The concept is baked into the Criminal Code, which governs the use of force in Canada. For security professionals, this translates into training on how to gauge threat levels, how to communicate clearly, and how to apply the minimum amount of force necessary to achieve a safe outcome. The best guards aren’t just strong—they’re smart about timing, distance, and restraint.

A few practical guidelines you’ll hear in the field:

• Assess before you act. Look for escape routes, potential hazards, and the size/weapon risk of the person involved.

• De-escalate first. A calm voice, clear instructions, and space often prevent the need for any force.

• Use the lightest touch possible to move someone away, and stop once they are off the premises.

• Document everything. If force was used, write a precise incident report detailing what happened, who was involved, and why it was necessary.

• Notify the right authorities if the situation escalates beyond your control or safety concerns rise.

Training and the Ontario context

If you’re working in Ontario, you’re operating within a framework that includes the Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA) and related regulations. Security guards in Ontario are trained to balance safety with legal boundaries. Part of that training covers use-of-force guidelines, de-escalation tactics, and proper reporting. It’s not just “how to physically remove someone,” but also “how to prevent trouble from starting in the first place.”

A helpful way to think about it is this: your goal isn’t to play superhero. It’s to preserve people’s safety and property while staying within the boundaries of the law. When in doubt, pause, assess, and call for assistance. That pause can prevent a lot of unnecessary harm and keep you—and the people you’re protecting—out of trouble.

Real-world scenarios and a few practical filters

Let me explain with a couple of quick, everyday examples that people in the field actually run into:

• A late-night coffee shop encounter: A customer who’s refused to leave after closing time. The guard asks them to depart. If the person stays, a guided exit is attempted. If they push back, the guard might use a gentle escort to the exit and then document the incident and contact the supervisor.

• A construction site at dusk: A passerby wanders onto restricted grounds. The guard clearly communicates the boundary, points out the posted rules, and asks the person to leave. If they refuse, a safe, controlled removal is performed. Here, the risk is more about trespass than assault, so force is minimal and proportional.

• A crowded mall scenario: A trespasser tries to bypass a locked entrance. The guard blocks access and escorts the person away. If the individual resists, the guard increases de-escalation efforts and brings in a second guard for support, again focusing on safety and the least force necessary.

What to do if you’re in the field

If you’re building a path toward a role in this space, here are a few grounded tips:

• Learn the law, not just the tricks. Understanding what the law allows—and what it doesn’t—will save you from overreacting in a tense moment.

• Practice de-escalation. Verbal skills are your best tools; tone, pace, and choice of words matter as much as any badge.

• Stay observant and meticulous. Incident reporting isn’t glamorous, but it’s the backbone of accountability.

• Seek ongoing training. Look for courses on use of force, offender management, and safety protocols. In Ontario, the PSISA framework outlines the expected standards and ongoing education.

A few words on ethics and professionalism

Being a security professional isn’t just about knowing when to push back a trespasser. It’s about knowing when to step back. Every decision you make on property reflects on the people who trust you with their safety and their property. The highest standards aren’t just about following the rules; they’re about embodying a mindset of responsibility, restraint, and respect for everyone involved.

If you’re ever unsure, the conservative path is to disengage, call for backup, and document. It’s not “soft.” It’s smart. It protects you, your employer, the public, and the person who might be in a tough spot.

Bringing it home: the bottom line

To recap in plain terms: a security guard in Ontario may use physical force to remove a trespasser from the property, but only when the force is reasonable and proportionate to the situation. The guard should aim to de-escalate, use the minimum force necessary, and call for help when needed. Other scenarios—detaining for questioning, feeling threatened, or acting only under emergency measures—carry different legal thresholds and require careful judgment and adherence to established procedures.

If you’re curious about how these principles play out day to day, you’ll notice a thread running through successful security work: clear communication, calm, measured responses, and strong documentation. The system works best when every guard treats safety as a shared responsibility, not a solo victory.

For those who want to see this in action, observe seasoned professionals on a shift, and ask questions about how they decide when to step in, what to say, and how they document the incident afterward. You’ll pick up practical cues that no textbook can fully capture: the rhythm of a well-run guard post, the way people respond to respectful firmness, and how a difficult moment can resolve into a clear, safe outcome.

If you’re exploring a career in Ontario security, you’ll find that the core idea—the legitimate use of force to remove a trespasser, under a framework of reasonableness and safety—acts as a compass. It guides everyday choices, from how you approach a tense person to how you report what happened once you’ve handed things off to law enforcement or a supervisor. And that compass, more than anything, helps you protect people, property, and peace of mind in the places you’re trusted to keep safe.