British Columbia (BC) Security Guard License Practice Exam

In which scenario can an SP NOT use force against someone?

1. If the person is verbally threatening

2. If the person is unlawfully approaching

3. If no physical contact has been made

4. If the person has broken the law

The correct answer is: If no physical contact has been made

In a security context, the principle of using force is often tied to the immediacy and level of threat presented by an individual's actions. The correct choice indicates that a security professional cannot use force in a situation where no physical contact has been made. This aligns with the legal and ethical standards of using force, which generally require a justification based on an immediate threat or an act of aggression. When an individual is verbally threatening, unlawfully approaching, or has broken the law, there may still be grounds for concern that could justify the use of force; however, the absence of any physical contact suggests that there is no imminent threat to safety that warrants the application of physical force. Security professionals are trained to assess situations and could be held accountable for using force without clear justification. Therefore, without physical contact or an immediate assault occurring, the use of force would not be justified or permissible.