British Columbia Basic Security Training (BC BST) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The principle that the use of force must adhere to the minimum necessary standard is central to the training and operations of security personnel. This standard emphasizes that any force applied should only be the minimum amount required to effectively manage a situation or protect oneself and others. Overstepping this can lead to excessive force, which can have serious legal, ethical, and operational consequences.

While it is essential that any force used aligns with the level of threat—reflecting the inherent relationship between threat and response—maintaining a focus on the minimum necessary force ensures that security personnel act responsibly and proportionately. This approach helps to safeguard both the rights and safety of the individuals involved and the integrity of the security operations. In contrast, lethal force is only justified in extreme circumstances and should never be considered a standard approach. The use of excessive force to deter further incidents is also inappropriate, as it contradicts the principles of responsible and ethical action in security practices.