What is the main legal limitation of a security guard in Ontario?

The primary legal limitation of a security guard in Ontario revolves around the authority to arrest. While security guards do play an important role in maintaining safety and security within certain environments, their powers are not equivalent to those of a police officer. In Ontario, a security guard has the authority to detain an individual only if they have witnessed that person commit a crime, and even then, the detention must be reasonable and for a limited time until law enforcement arrives.

This limitation is grounded in the law as security guards are private citizens hired to protect property rather than law enforcement officers tasked with upholding the law. Their role is generally more about observing, reporting, and sometimes detaining to safeguard persons and property, rather than being assertive enforcers of the law.

The ability to pursue suspects, the right to carry weapons, and the enforcement of traffic laws are all aspects of security responsibilities and legal frameworks that are either overly limited or entirely regulated. Pursuing suspects can introduce complications regarding the legal risks of entering into an unlawful chase. Carrying weapons is regulated under strict laws and usually requires specific licensing that many security positions do not entail. Finally, traffic law enforcement falls squarely within the police purview, which security personnel are not authorized to manage. Thus