The Business is Licensed – What to be Aware Of
Overview
When you get your licence, read it carefully to ensure it is correct. It should spell out the legal name of the business, list the only types of security services the business may offer, it may outline certain conditions, and it will have the expiry date.
Contact Security Programs as soon as possible if you have any concerns.
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What you MUST KNOW . . .
- Employing Security Workers — No one may be employed or engaged for any kind of security work unless that individual holds a current security worker licence for that kind of security work.
- Regulations regarding vehicles, uniforms and advertising must be adhered to – Uniforms may not look like police uniforms. Some business types have specific rules regarding uniforms, for example: armoured car guards must wear uniforms;
private investigators may not wear a uniform; badges may not be issued to security workers nor carried by security workers.
- Equipment – Over-the-shoulder equipment belts linked to waist belts (commonly known as Sam Browne belts) may not be worn by security workers nor may security workers carry or use batons, pepper spray or any other items designed to injure or control another person or animal;
- Dogs – Apply for special authorization from the registrar if the business and security workers want to use dogs; (scheduled to be implemented June 1, 2009)
- Branch Offices — Must always operate under the same business name as the security business licence, have a manager who is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the licensed security workers, must be at least 19 years of age, must remain under the direct control of the main security business (for payroll, administration, policy and procedures) and be covered by the general liability insurance policy. Whenever a branch is closed or a new one opened, the Registrar should be sent an update.
Security Workers Under Supervision
There are four licence types security works may hold which carry the condition of under supervision. It allows workers the opportunity to acquire on-the-job training and experience and, importantly, advises the employer that the worker is not fully licensed and has limited experience. However, when a business hires a security worker under supervision, there are requirements imposed on the security business licensee:
- Locksmiths, Private Investigators, Security Alarm Installers and Security Guards under supervision must be adequately supervised by a fully licensed security worker of same licence type.
- Locksmiths, Private Investigators and Security Alarm Installers under supervision must be working under written training plans developed by the security business, and the security business must conduct regular progress reviews with the employee. As well, it is mandatory that clients are aware that the security worker is not yet fully licensed. (See specific requirements in the Security Licensing Process and Licence Conditions Policy, sections 3.6.1, 3.6.2, 3.6.3, and 3.6.4 for specific information on each of these licence types.
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What you MUST DO . . .
- Keep business licence information current – all licence information must be kept current. This includes addition or deletion of individuals who are able to control the business entity or change to the business address or change in management.
Changes to licence information can be reported to the Registrar using the form Reporting an Update Current Security Business Licence (SPD0515).
Note: If new controlling members do not have a current security worker licence, the controlling member must follow instructions outlined in the Controlling Member of a Security Business section of this website.
- Change in ownership of the security business – Ownership of a security business may change, for example it may be sold to a new owner or the existing owner may take on a new partner or decide to incorporate. The change may have impact on the security business licence. Review the information on Changing the Security Business Company Type for more information.
- Display the licence — Once received, the business licence must be posted in each location (main office and branches) in a place that is conspicuous and accessible to the public.
- Keep business records and logs — It is a requirement for a business entity to maintain business records (refer to Section 7 of the regulations) for a period of two calendar years. These records must be made available if an inspector requests records during an investigation or inspection.
- Keep records on employed security workers – name, date of birth, residential address, licence number, payroll records, dates and hours of work and type of security work the employee is engaged in during each shift. Other records include accounting records, client contracts, advertising contracts and advertising, insurance records and contracts. These records must be kept for a minimum of two calendar years and made available for inspection upon request;
- Use of Force Reports – If a security worker employed by the security business uses any type of force against another person a Use of Force Report Incident Report (SPD0513) must be completed. The report includes incidents where a person is restrained, where handcuffs are used, where security dog attacks a person or where any kind of physical force or weapon is used against another person.
- Key Logs must be kept on anyone requesting the duplication of a restricted key — meaning a key, card or other lock operating device. The log gives the date, full name of key owner, key owner’s full address, phone number, if request for the key is by someone authorized to have the key duplicated on behalf of the owner log that persons full name, address and phone number. Detail the reason the key needs to be duplicated and finally, the licence number of the Security Worker who duplicated the key. For a sample of a log, download Restricted Key Log.
- Advertising — You may not place an advertisement or notice depicting violence against persons or property or imply the security business is associated with a police force (refer to Section 9 of the regulations)
- Insurance — The security business must maintain general liability insurance in an amount not less that $1 million while operating.
- Vehicles — There are various rules about what may and may not be on a vehicle, when they may be used, etc. (refer to Section 12 of the regulations)
- Code of Conduct — The Code of Conduct outlines the standards every security businesses must comply with while operating. The Registrar can investigate complaints relating to conduct and take action for a breach of the Code with respect to any security business licensee or controlling member of the licensed security business. See Code of Conduct.
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Some Processes that MAY AFFECT your security business and/or workers . . .
- Complaints process. Anyone who has a complaint about the security business or any of the security business’s workers may provide the details of the complaint to us. A complaint may lead to an investigation.
- Compliance and enforcement. The Registrar of Security Services Act monitors the business’s compliance with the conditions and responsibilities of the licence through inspections and through the complaint process. If the information collected as a result of an inspection or investigation shows that you have committed a contravention, enforcement action may be taken against the business and/or the security worker.
>>Next: Renew, Replace, Update and Expired Licences
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