Security Industry and Licensing
Compliance and Enforcement
Overview
Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors work with licensees to encourage voluntary compliance with the requirements of the Security Services Act and the Security Services Regulation. Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors are always available to assist security workers and security businesses in complying with the conditions and responsibilities of their licence. See the Contact Us page to locate a Compliance and Enforcement Inspector near you.
The inspectors monitor licensee compliance through inspections and through the complaint process. If the information collected through an inspection or investigation shows that a security worker, security business licensee, or a security business’s controlling member has committed a contravention, or shows their conduct poses a risk to the public (i.e., criminal record) the Registrar, Security Services, may take enforcement action against the licensee/individual. There is a wide variety of regulatory actions that may be taken by the Registrar’s office, from a verbal or written warning or the issuance of a violation ticket, administrative penalties through to suspension or cancellation of a security worker or business licence.
The authority of the inspectors is set out in sections 30 to 33 of the Security Services Act. Inspectors may conduct an inspection to determine whether a person has failed to comply with the Act, the regulation or a condition of the licence. The inspector may also conduct an inspection to assist the Registrar in making a decision whether to refuse to issue a security worker or business licence, whether to suspend or cancel a licence or whether to take summary enforcement action to protect the public.
The powers of the inspector include, but are not limited to:
- the authority to enter and inspect the premises, vehicles or vessels or a security business or of a security worker when used for security work
- the authority to inquire into a security business, its affairs and conduct or the affairs and conduct of a security worker or controlling member
- the authority to inspect, audit or examine records, goods or other things for the purposes of the inspection
- the authority to demand documents or other things to be produced for inspection;
- the authority to copy or remove material collected during an inspection
A licensee must not obstruct, impede or refuse to admit an inspector or a peace officer who is performing duties or exercising powers under the Security Services Act, the Security Services Regulation, or a warrant issued under the Act.
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Violation Ticket and Fine Schedule
Violation tickets are issued to a person (a security worker, a security business, an individual, a business) who commits an offence under the Security Services Act (SSA). Section 44 sets out the offences under the Security Services Act.
Fines range from $50 (failure to report a change in security worker address) to $500 (operating a security business without a valid security business licence). An additional Victim Surcharge levy is applied to all fines.
If you are currently holding a violation ticket issued under the previous security industry legislation – Private Investigators and Security Agencies Act (PISA) – the ticket is still valid and must be paid.
Below are fine schedules for both acts:
How to Pay or Dispute a Violation Ticket – see Court Services website.
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Administrative Penalties
Under section 35 of the Security Services Act, the Registrar has the authority to impose an administrative penalty on a licensee (worker or business) who has contravened the Act, the regulations or a condition of the person’s licence.
Prior to imposing an administrative penalty, the Registrar will provide the licensee with an opportunity to be heard. A hearing may be held through written or verbal submissions (in-person, teleconference or videoconference) or a combination of these methods. Upon hearing the licensee, the Registrar will consider a number of factors including, but not limited to:
- whether there has been previous enforcement action for a contravention of a similar nature by the licensee
- the gravity of the contravention
- whether any harm resulted from the contravention
- whether the contravention was deliberate
An administrative penalty imposed against an individual may be as much as $5,000. An administrative penalty imposed against a business entity may be as much as $50,000.
Under section 51 of the Security Services Act, a person may ask the Registrar to reconsider a decision to impose an administrative penalty or the amount of the penalty. For information on how to make a request to the Registrar to reconsider his/her decision, see Request to the Registrar to Reconsider a Decision.
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Cancellations or Suspensions
The Registrar has the authority under section 28 of the Security Services Act to cancel or suspend for a period of time a security worker licence or a security business licence. The Registrar may take this action for the reasons set out in section 4 or section 15 of the Act which include, but are not limited to:
- failure to comply with the Act, regulations or conditions of the licence including failure to comply with the Code of Conduct [link to section 14 of Security Services Regulation]
- the licensee’s conduct, mental condition or character
- a criminal charge against the licensee or a conviction
The Registrar will hold a hearing before cancelling or suspending licence. A hearing may be held through written or verbal submissions (in-person, teleconference or videoconference) or a combination of these methods. The Registrar will provide the licensee with written reasons for a decision to cancel or suspend a licence.
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Suspensions or Cancellations – to Protect the Public
The Registrar has the authority under section 29 of the Security Services Act to cancel or suspend for a period of time a security worker licence or a security business licence WITHOUT notice to the licensee first. This enforcement action will be taken if the Registrar considers it is necessary to protect the public.
Following the suspension or cancellation of a licence under section 29, the Registrar will notify the
licensee of the reasons for the suspension or cancellation in writing. The licensee may then send a written reply to the Registrar within 15 days of receiving the written reasons. At this time, the Registrar will consider whether it is appropriate to rescind the decision to suspend or cancel , whether it is appropriate to confirm the decision or to vary or substitute a new decision (such as a different penalty).
Business Closures
The following is a list of businesses ordered closed by the Registrar between 2002 and 2007:
In the future, business closures under the Security Services Act will be posted to this website.
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