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BC Basic Security Training (BST) Cheat Sheet

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Professionalism and Ethics

  • Not published of exam
  • Code of Conduct Confidentiality EDI On Post De-escalation First Partner Coordination

Legal Studies

  • Not published of exam
  • Security Services Act Licence Types Citizen's Arrest Self-Defence Test Trespass Act Limits Use of Force

Report Writing

  • Not published of exam
  • Objective Facts Core Elements Arrest Report Evidence Continuity

Personal Safety

  • Not published of exam
  • Patrol Awareness Access Control Alarm Response Emergency Services Fire and First Aid

Quick Facts

  • Exam BST Assessment (SCRT-1656)
  • Body JIBC / BC Security Programs
  • Items 75 questions
  • Time 90 minutes
  • Pass 70%
  • Format Closed book, computer-based
  • Attempts Max 2, within 6 months
  • Theory 40-hour course before exam
  • Licence age 19; 16 for 3 types

Code Of Conduct Core PR

  • Honest, impartial, sober, and non-violent
  • Honest: no false statements Impartial: treat everyone equally Sober: fit for duty Non-violent: no unnecessary force

Code of Conduct Duties PR

  • Honesty Act with integrity always
  • Equality No discrimination, protected grounds
  • Sobriety Not unfit for duty
  • Language No profane or abusive words
  • Force No unnecessary force used
  • Confidentiality Info stays need-to-know only
  • False statements Prohibited, even if negligent
  • Cooperation Assist police when required

Professionalism Beyond The Code PR

  • EDI on post Same rules, no assumptions
  • Constitution Act s.35 Aboriginal and treaty rights
  • DRIPA BC's Indigenous rights statute
  • De-escalation Try verbal options first
  • Partner duty Coordinate actions, shared account
  • Confidentiality breach Breaks privacy law and trust

Citizen's Arrest Triangle LE

  • See it, chase it, or own it
  • s.494(1)(a): finds committing it s.494(1)(b): fresh pursuit case s.494(2): on your property

Citizen's Arrest vs Trespass Act LE

Citizen's Arrest (s.494)

  • Any person can arrest
  • Indictable or property offence
  • Deliver to police forthwith

Trespass Act (s.6-s.7)

  • Only police or conservation arrest
  • Guard can demand a name
  • Guard can direct someone to leave
  • Arrest power differs by statute

Citizen's Arrest Decision Picker LE

  • Not personally seen committing it → No s.494(1)(a) arrest ( Finds-committing test not met )
  • Found committing an indictable offence → Arrest under s.494(1)(a) ( Personal discovery required )
  • In fresh pursuit, lawful authority → Arrest under s.494(1)(b) ( Covers any criminal offence )
  • Offence happened on your property → Arrest under s.494(2) ( Now, or later if police can't )
  • Person now under arrest → Deliver forthwith to police ( s.494(3) mandatory duty )
  • Trespasser only, no offence seen → Demand name, direct to leave ( No Trespass Act arrest power )
  • Force needed during the arrest → Only as much as necessary ( s.25(1) standard applies )

Security Services Act Sections LE

  • s.2 Licence required to work
  • s.3 Apply: 19+, resident, English
  • s.4 Registrar can refuse licence
  • s.5 Sets the licence term
  • s.9 Report changes within 14 days
  • s.25(4) No unauthorized lock-bypass tools
  • s.26 No firearms; armoured exception only
  • s.52 Source of regulation power

Self-Defence vs Defence of Property LE

Self-Defence (s.34)

  • Protects a person
  • Threat against self or other
  • Reasonableness has several factors

Defence Of Property (s.35)

  • Protects lawful possession
  • Stops trespass or theft
  • Same reasonable-belief structure
  • Same test, different protected interest

Which Security Licence Applies LE

  • Standing guard, general patrol duty → Security guard licence ( Item 12 )
  • Trainee guard, still supervised → Guard under supervision ( Item 13, 90-day cap )
  • Investigating matters for hire → Private investigator licence ( Item 4 )
  • Servicing locks and keys → Locksmith licence ( Item 2 )
  • Installing alarm systems → Alarm installer licence ( Item 6 )
  • Only watching alarm signals → Alarm monitor licence ( Item 8 )
  • Applicant is only 16 → Only 3 licence types allowed ( Items 3, 7, 8 )

Security Services Regulation Sections LE

  • s.11 No cuffs, weapons, control items
  • s.12 SECURITY lettering; no badge, belt
  • s.14 Registrar's code of conduct
  • s.15 16 licence types listed
  • s.6(1) 3-year max licence term
  • s.6(2) Guard-under-supervision caps at 90 days
  • s.2(3) 16+ ok for 3 types
  • s.16 Fee scales with licence term

Security Guard vs Peace Officer LE

Security Guard

  • Private-person arrest powers only
  • No Trespass Act arrest power
  • Delegated owner authority only

Peace Officer

  • Broader statutory arrest power
  • Can arrest for trespass too
  • Sworn public authority
  • Guard has private powers only

16 Security Licence Types LE

  • Security guard Guard duty, alarm response
  • Guard under supervision Trainee guard, 90-day cap
  • Private investigator Investigates for hire, own licence
  • Locksmith Services locks, controls keys
  • Alarm installer Installs and codes alarms
  • Alarm monitor Watches alarm signals only
  • Armoured car guard Transports property; firearm exception
  • Body armour sales Sells body armour only

AST Route vs Exemption Route LE

AST Course Route

  • JIBC Advanced Security Training
  • Renewed every three years

Experience Exemption Route

  • Police, corrections, or sheriff background
  • Registrar-approved, skips the course
  • Two paths, one endorsement result

Citizen's Arrest and Self-Defence LE

  • s.494(1)(a) Arrest, indictable offence, in-progress
  • s.494(1)(b) Arrest via fresh pursuit
  • s.494(2) Owner arrest on property
  • s.494(3) Deliver arrestee to police
  • s.494(4) Arrester authorized by law
  • s.34 3-part self-defence test
  • s.35 Defence of property, reasonableness test
  • s.25(1) Force limited to necessary

Trespass and Human Rights LE

  • Trespass s.2 Entering or refusing to leave
  • Trespass s.6 Demand name and address
  • Trespass s.7 Peace or conservation officer arrests
  • Guide Dog Act Denying access is an offence
  • Human Rights Code Accommodate to undue hardship
  • Interpretation Act s.34 Hybrid offence counts as indictable

Liability and Complaints LE

  • Criminal liability Assault or unlawful confinement
  • Civil liability Lawsuit for damages
  • Licensing liability Registrar discipline action
  • Public complaint Filed directly with Registrar

Report Writing 5W1H RE

  • Who, what, when, where, why, how
  • Who: the people involved What: the actions observed When and where: time, place How: your own response

Objective vs Subjective Reporting RE

Objective

  • Observable facts only
  • Actions, words, exact times
  • Verifiable and court-ready

Subjective

  • Interpretation and labels added
  • Words like aggressive or suspicious
  • Weakens report credibility
  • Write facts, not conclusions

Report Writing Essentials RE

  • Objective Observable facts: actions, times
  • Subjective Interpretation or labels, avoid
  • Core elements Who, what, when, where, how
  • Sequence Clear time order of events
  • Arrest report Legal basis and delivery time
  • Evidence continuity Track control of evidence
  • Timeliness Write while memory is fresh
  • Legal weight Used in hearings and court

BST Then AST Memory PE

  • BST gets you licensed; AST gets you restraining
  • BST: guard licence route AST: restraint endorsement only AST cards renew in 3 years

BST vs AST Training PE

BST (SCRT-1651/1656)

  • First licence training route
  • No restraint authorization given
  • 40-hour theory plus assessment

AST (Advanced Training)

  • Restraint Endorsement training course
  • Endorsement then permits handcuffs
  • Renew every three years
  • BST licenses; AST adds restraints

Personal Safety Response Picker PE

  • Alarm activated, cause unknown → Assess from a safe position ( Don't enter alone )
  • Police or EMS arrive → Support, hand off, don't interfere
  • Fire breaks out nearby → Support evacuation to assembly point ( Fight only small early fire )
  • Injury needs first aid → Give only trained-level care ( Call EMS promptly )
  • Work feels genuinely unsafe → Use your right to refuse ( WorkSafeBC protects you )
  • Restraints or handcuffs needed → Not authorized under BST ( Requires AST endorsement )

Patrol and Access Control PE

  • Situational awareness Notice deviations from normal
  • Patrol routes Vary route and timing
  • Access control Verify credentials, check logs
  • Risk assessment Assess safety before responding
  • Alarm response Treat as in-progress incident
  • Police handoff Support them, don't interfere
  • Fire evacuation Go to the assembly point
  • First aid scope Only trained-level care given

Safety and Work Rights PE

  • Right to refuse Unsafe work, no reprisal
  • Fatigue risk Slows judgment and reaction time
  • Restraint use Needs AST, not BST alone
  • Firearms Prohibited except armoured exception
  • Prohibited equipment Pepper spray, batons, tasers
  • Uniform rule No police look-alike gear

Common Traps

Arrest Power vs Trespass Power

  • Guard can arrest under s.494 ≠ Guard cannot arrest for trespass

BST vs AST Confusion

  • BST licenses guard work only ≠ AST adds the restraint endorsement

Certificate vs Statement Of Completion

  • No BST certificate issued now ≠ You get a training statement

Objective vs Subjective Report Wording

  • Facts are objective and verifiable ≠ Labels like aggressive are subjective

Reasonable Force vs Excessive Force

  • Necessary force is legally protected ≠ Unnecessary force breaks the Code

Licence Age 19 vs 16

  • Most licence types need age 19 ≠ Three types allow age 16

Indictable vs Summary Offence Trap

  • Hybrid offences still count indictable ≠ Summary-only offences don't qualify here

Last Minute

  • 1. s.494(1)(a): indictable offence only
  • 2. s.494(2): arrest on your property
  • 3. s.7 Trespass: police or conservation only
  • 4. Deliver arrestee to police forthwith
  • 5. Pass 70%; time 90 minutes
  • 6. Max 2 attempts within 6 months
  • 7. BST licenses; AST adds restraints
  • 8. No certificate now; get a statement
  • 9. Licence age: 19, sometimes 16
  • 10. Guard-under-supervision caps at 90 days
  • 11. Objective report: facts, not labels
  • 12. Write reports fast, while memory's fresh

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