A recent robbery at the Halifax Walmart on Mumford Road has sparked debate among Haligonians about the role of security guards and whether they should ever physically intervene with shoplifters.

The incident, which saw guards assaulted while attempting to stop a theft, prompted dozens of local residents to weigh in on social media.

From Haligonia’s Facebook Comments

“Most hired Security aren’t supposed to go hands on with people for their own protection. If this is that companies policy, they brought this upon themselves,” wrote one commenter. “Not defending the alleged shoplifter, just saying, they probably broke policy.”

Others questioned the guards’ choices: “Why they trying to be heros?” wrote one commenter, while another offered a blunter take: “The guards? They are just there for display. Not really a function.”

What Nova Scotia Law Says

In Nova Scotia, anyone working as a private guard must be licensed under the Private Investigators and Private Guards Act. The Act states that “no person shall act as a private investigator or private guard unless he is nineteen years of age or over,” and that “every private guard shall wear a uniform while acting as a private guard.” Guards must also carry provincial identification and cannot “hold himself out in any manner as being a member of a police force.”

However, the Act doesn’t address powers of arrest or use of force.

What About Federal Law?

Powers of arrest and use of force fall under federal jurisdiction. The Government of Canada provides information on citizen’s arrest and self-defence laws, which apply to security guards acting on behalf of property owners across the country.

So Why Don’t Security Guards Intervene?

Many major retailers have internal policies discouraging physical intervention due to liability concerns and employee safety. The Nova Scotia government’s own Guide to Preventing Violence, Robbery & Theft advises retail workers: “Play it safe! Don’t be a hero; your life is more important than money or merchandise.”

The Bottom Line

Security guards in Nova Scotia are provincially licensed, but their training and employer policies often discourage physical confrontation. For workers on the front lines of retail, the message from safety experts is clear: property is replaceable, people are not.

Haligonia is not a media outlet, and we do not employ journalists. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.