British Columbia (BC) Security Guard License Practice Exam

Under what condition may SPs use deadly force?

1. Unless the suspect is fleeing

2. When they feel strongly they can win the fight

3. When they believe it is necessary to prevent serious harm!

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: When they believe it is necessary to prevent serious harm!

The use of deadly force by security personnel is a critical and serious matter that is governed by specific legal and ethical guidelines. The correct condition under which security personnel may use deadly force is when they believe it is necessary to prevent serious harm. This reflects the legal principle of self-defense or defense of others, which permits the use of lethal force when the individual genuinely perceives an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death to themselves or others. The key element is the belief in the necessity of using such force, which must be reasonable under the circumstances. This means that the person must have a genuine concern for their safety or the safety of others that justifies the extreme response of using deadly force. The other options provided do not reflect the conditions under which deadly force is justified. For instance, the concept of using deadly force unless a suspect is fleeing does not align with legal standards, as the context of the threat is more critical. Similarly, considering personal strength or confidence in winning a fight does not provide an acceptable basis for the use of deadly force. It is crucial that security personnel act based on the imminent threat rather than their feelings about the situation or their abilities to confront it.