British Columbia Basic Security Training Practice Exam

Which legal concept allows security personnel to use reasonable force to protect themselves or others?

1. Duty of Care

2. Self-defense

3. Act of Reasonable Force

4. Law of Protection

The correct answer is: Self-defense

The concept of self-defense is a well-established legal principle that permits individuals, including security personnel, to use reasonable force to protect themselves or others from harm. This legal allowance is rooted in the need to prevent injury or danger when faced with an imminent threat. In the context of security work, understanding self-defense is crucial as it empowers security personnel to act decisively in potentially dangerous situations while ensuring that their response remains proportional to the threat they face. In order for the use of force to be justified under self-defense, it generally needs to meet specific criteria: the threat must be immediate and the response must be reasonable and necessary to prevent harm. This legal framework ensures that security personnel have the ability to safeguard themselves and others effectively while adhering to the law. The other concepts mentioned, such as the duty of care, primarily relate to the responsibility of individuals to avoid causing harm to others, which does not directly grant the authority to use force. The term "act of reasonable force" is not a standard legal concept recognized in the same way as self-defense, and while the "law of protection" might imply safeguarding individuals, it’s not specifically recognized as a legal justification for the use of force. Hence, self-defense stands as the key principle allowing the