Security guards and private security officers vastly outnumber police officers worldwide, by nearly two to one. Because of cutbacks to police budgets and the growth of security demands of the public, the use of private security has been steadily increasing. The role of the private security officer has never been more critical than today with the constant threat of domestic terrorism. Security guards and private security officers are in a highly visible profession and more often are being placed in position of trusts.

What were once core state functions, such as prison surveillance and immigration control are now being contracted out to private security firms to reduce costs. Other factors have also contributed towards the boom in private security, such as the increased awareness of clients to security threats and the perceived increase in threat from terrorism. Businesses and individuals also hire private security companies to perform specific security-related services. This could be a wide variety of things, like on-site guards, routine vehicle patrols of a business through the night, escorting people or valuables, house inspections while on vacation, or responding to alarms.

Every year we see a move toward greater government regulation for minimum standards for hiring, screening, and training of security officers. The security guard industry has improved in recent years, but still face challenges largely due to low pay, poor training, and high turnover.

While private security forces are often held accountable for public safety, similar to public police officers, they often lack the training and expertise that is provided to police officers. As such, their individual reactions to various incidents they could encounter may vary greatly, based on their training, age, background, experience level, intelligence, common sense, temperament, and other similar factors. They are not taught or trained to exercise the judgment and restraint that might be part of a public law enforcement education or training program. More extensive training would assist security guards in understanding their authority, address safety concerns and ensure they have the necessary level of skill to perform their role. It would also add credit to the role of a security guard and move towards the goal of a more professional career.

Security guards may also find themselves in certain situations where they need to use force. An understanding of use of force theory, the components of the use of force model and how to maintain composure during potentially stressful situations are necessary to understand when and how to use force. Proper training and education for private security forces needs to be addressed and provided in order to maintain public safety and assurance.

Canadian prisons house approximately 35,000 inmates for offences ranging anywhere from theft to murder. Most of these inmates are guilty for their crimes, but there are also a number of prisoners who are innocent.

The UBC Innocence Project provides accessible and independent assistance with the post-conviction review process to individuals who have been convicted of a serious crime but maintain their factual innocence.

It is the only innocence project in Western Canada and the third in all of Canada. The project was established in 2007 as a three-year pilot. A group of dedicated and distinguished members of the criminal bar donate their time and expertise to this project. The goal of the Innocence Project’s work on a file is the preparation of an application for ministerial review. The Minister of Justice can refer a case to the Court of Appeal, order a new trial or dismiss the application. The project hopes to submit its first case to the Minister of Justice later this year, bringing yet another Canadian claim of wrongful conviction closer to resolution.

CPA International Investigations has been working diligently with the UBC Innocence Project since June 2010 to help review police records, locate and speak with eyewitnesses and investigate questionable areas of the cases.  CPA has spent countless hours providing research for this project to help investigate injustices and continues to support this worthwhile cause and hopefully aide in bringing some wrongful convictions forward.