This online Use of Force and Handcuffing Certification course was developed by a Subject Matter Expert and former Instructor Trainer for the Ontario Police College in use of force training. Subjects include Criminal and Trespass arrest, detailed use of force authority explanations, judgement and decision making (crisis intervention) and incident articulation.
Yes. The resume and credentials of the Subject Matter Expert who wrote and narrates this course has the requisite credentials to issue certification using online only delivery methodologies. The company is also a verified Vendor of Record for training Provincial Officers in Ontario.
The number of kinesthetic (hands on only) learners is very small. Many are labelled as ADD or ADHD in fact. While it is true that some people prefer to learn using “hands on with real time feedback,” the fact is that most people also learn by reading, watching, mirroring, interacting with others and self practice. The bulk of people have blended learning styles which can be accomplished now, online.
Feedback can be obtained online using video chats if required. There is also an option for an “in house” instructor certification in this program.
Subjective evaluations by certified instructors only carry so much weight. Old training methodologies dictated that a person had to demonstrate, competence and confidence in order to meet a set standard to pass. The resulting problem was that the student may meet this standard in class but then leave the classroom and never practice afterwards causing this skill set to deteriorate rapidly.
Unless the learner practices and/or refreshes the skill set with someone more qualified, they likely would continue to do it wrong and there is no way of knowing until there is a problem later. Once the learner leaves the classroom and the instructor who “certified them,” there is no way to know if they will continue to practice or even retain what they learned.
Instructors cannot be held liable for a learner not practicing a perishable skill set or how they apply that skill set once they leave the instructor’s presence. The onus then shifts to the person and their supervisors to prove how the skills were maintained after initial certification. (If you don’t use it….you will lose it.)
In Ontario, and most other Provinces and Territories, no. Only B.C. has a mandatory handcuffing certification standard. All the others do not. Police and related professions sometimes have standards built into their legislation, but it does not apply to civilian security guards.
All the related legal academics, articulation of incidents, judgment and decision making are taught as a baseline. No course is complete without the legal reasons when, where and why force can or should be used by persons who are not police officers.
Basic disengagement skills are demonstrated step by step as a prelude to control techniques, but NO hard empty hand skills are taught in this course. Our company has not taught pressure point techniques or hard empty hand skills for 25 years. The reason being is that we believe that giving people pain is NOT a valid paradigm for controlling violent behaviour and it offers NO control whatsoever.
In some cases, using pain compliance techniques is completely ineffective and only serves to escalate the problem at hand. This aside, given the social media video that is likely to appear, your punching, kicking etc. will not help convince people of your position especially given that you are not the police.
Handcuffing and Search are two topics that are covered in depth. Step by step instruction is done using pictures, video of a live class being taught and support materials provided.
In general, security guards and bouncers are tasked with keeping their assigned property reasonably safe, and are allowed to use force to carry out their duties, if necessary. According to section 25 of the Criminal Code of Canada, an Ontario Security Guard is permitted to use: “as much force as is necessary as long as they act on reasonable grounds. However, section 26 states that individuals who use force are also criminally responsible for any excess of force in these circumstances.” So, it is important to use the bare minimum level of force that is required to perform your duty.
A responsible security guard will consider the situation, the conditions, and other factors when deciding whether or not it is in his/her best interest to use force. How do you know what those situations are, and the amount of force that is considered “reasonable?”
This can be tricky. You don’t want to do anyone harm and you don’t want to put yourself at risk physically or legally. Understanding the parameters of when to use force and what how much is outlined in our Use of Force course.
Our Use of Force course will clearly define the limits to which security guards are entitled to use force, so that you can stay within the appropriate legal guidelines while carrying out your everyday responsibilities. There is such a thing as using excessive force as a security guard, and situations can become complicated. If you injure someone, even if it was unintentional it may open you up to liability for negligence.
