In $1999,$ Patrick Shand was wrestled to the ground by security guards at a grocery store

in Toronto. He was handcuffed and kept face$-$down on the ground, where he died of

asphyxiation after being accused of shoplifting baby formula.

In February of $2004,$ a coroner$$s inquest ruled that Shand$$s death was accidental,

and that he died of restraint asphyxia with complications from chronic and acute

cocaine use. One of the findings of the inquest was that Shand might not have died if

the guards who apprehended him had been trained in the use of force and life$-$saving.

The inquiry made $22$ recommendations to reform Ontario$$s security industry. For

example, it recommended that all in$-$house security guards and bouncers in Ontario be

licensed and receive mandatory training $($in areas such as first aid, CPR$,$ and the use of

force$)$ that identifies the hazards of restraint asphyxia and excited delirium, and appropriate

training in the use of handcuffs and expandable batons. The inquest concluded

that $$It is important that the government act quickly, responsibly, and diligently.$$

The Ontario government responded to the inquest$$s $22$ recommendations with

amendments to the Private Security and Investigative Services Act in $2005.$ This was the first

time the Act had been updated since it was passed in $1966.$ The updated Act went into

effect in August $2007,$ and specified August $2008$ as the deadline for $22000$ previously

unlicensed security guards and bouncers to get licensed.

In addition to mandatory licensing for all security personnel and standards for

uniforms, equipment, and vehicles used by security personnel, the Act also includes

mandatory training standards. The basic training standard would be developed to include

knowledge of relevant legislation $($the new Private Security and Investigative Services Act,

and the Trespass to Property Act$)$; power of arrest; use of force; communications and

public relations skills; first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation $($CPR$)$; on$-$the$-$job

skills $($report writing, note taking, and diversity sensitivity$)$; and the use of equipment

$($batons$,$ handcuffs$).$

Security guards and bouncers in Ontario now must pay $$80$ to meet the new requirements.

However, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services did not

implement the training program that is part of the licensing. Those in the industry were

left questioning the law.

Thus, despite a proposed curriculum and government plans for a $40-$hour mandatory

training program, the licence requirements only required in$-$house security guards

and bouncers to submit an application to the ministry, pay a fee, and pass a criminal

record check. No use$-$of$-$force training or first$-$aid training was required. As a result,

security guards continued to work at local stores and nightclubs without the basic

training needed to safeguard lives.