OPP lay 76 charges in connection with violations under PSISA

Between April 28th and April 30th, OPP, assisted by members of the South Simcoe Police Service, conducted enforcement initiatives in Ottawa, Bradford-West Gwillimbury, and Toronto, within and near the site of the recent Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) venue in Toronto April 29.

Officers attended a number of establishments in Ottawa, Bradford-West Gwillimbury, and Toronto, including licensed premises within each jurisdiction. A number of businesses were found to be in violation of provisions of the PSISA. Det. Staff Sgt. Rick LePage said the names of those charged have not yet been released.

Charges include:
•    16 counts of working as an unlicensed security guard,
•    16 counts of employing an unlicensed security guard,
•    37 uniform violations,
•    four (4) counts of being an unregistered business,
•    two (2) counts of operating an unlicensed business entity, and
•    one (1) count of failing to produce a license.

A total of 28 charges were laid in Ottawa, 12 charges were laid in Bradford-West Gwillimbury, and 36 charges were laid in Toronto , including 16 uniform violations within the UFC venue. The investigations are continuing and further charges may be pending.

The three initiatives bring the total to 21 in terms of law enforcement efforts to ensure provisions of the PSIS Act and Regulations are adhered to within the province of Ontario.

Charges by location:
Ottawa (28 Charges) – April 28, 2011
•    Eleven (11) counts of working as an unlicensed security guard
•    Eleven (11) counts of employing an unlicensed security guard
•    Four (4) uniform violations
•    One (1) count of being an unregistered business
•    One (1) count of operating an unlicensed business entity

South Simcoe (12 Charges) – April 29, 2011
•    Three (3) counts of working as an unlicensed security guard
•    Three (3) counts of employing an unlicensed security guard
•    Four (4) uniform violations
•    Two (2) counts of being an unregistered business

Toronto (36 Charges) – April 30, 2011
•    Two (2) counts of working as an unlicensed security guard
•    Two (2) counts of employing an unlicensed security guard
•    20 uniform violations, including 16 inside the UFC venue
•    One (1) count of being an unregistered business
•    One (1) count of operating an unlicensed business entity
•    One (1) count of failing to produce a license

Under the Private Security & Investigative Services Act, individuals performing security work in Ontario must be licensed. Additionally, establishments employing in-house security guards must be registered with the Private Security and Investigative Service Branch.

Business entities selling the services of security guards are required to be licensed by the ministry and responsible to ensure their security guards are licensed. Persons convicted of working as unlicensed security guards are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000, under the PSIS Act and up to one year in custody.