Members of the Ontario Provincial Police Anti-Rackets Branch have laid 56 charges in connection with violations of the Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA).
Between June 3rd and June 4th — OPP members working with members of the Owen Sound and Stratford Police Services, conducted enforcement initiatives in Owen Sound, Orangeville, Stratford, Woodstock Brantford, and Hamilton.
Officers went to a number of establishments including licensed premises, and a number of businesses were in violation of the Act.
Charges include:
16 counts of working as an unlicensed security guard,
22 counts of employing an unlicensed security guard,
Seven (7) uniform violations,
Seven (7) counts of being an unregistered business,
Two (2) counts of operating an unlicensed business entity.
A total of 17 charges were laid in Owen Sound, 19 charges were laid in Orangeville, five charges were laid in Stratford, two charges were laid in Woodstock, one charge was laid in Brantford, and 12 charges were laid in Hamilton.
The investigations are continuing and further charges may be pending.
Under the Private Security & Investigative Services Act, individuals performing security work in Ontario must be licensed.
Establishments employing in-house security guards must also be registered.
Persons convicted of working as unlicensed security guards are subject to a maximum fine of 25 thousand dollars and up to one year in custody.
