The security guard caught kicking someone on the ground in a video released by CFJC Today has had his license temporary suspended by the province (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

SECURITY VIDEO

Security guard seen kicking person on West Victoria Street has license suspended by the province

Apr 1, 2021 | 4:22 PM

KAMLOOPS — The security guard caught on camera kicking a street person two weeks ago has been suspended by the province.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General confirmed to CFJC Today the license of the security guard, formerly with Lapper Security, has been temporarily revoked.

The ministry’s Security Programs Division, which has responsibility for the mandate under the Security Services Act, is aware of this incident and has launched an internal investigation.

“Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Registrar may reinstate the licence, suspend the licence for a period of time, or cancel the licence,” the ministry said in a statement. “If a contravention is found, the Security Services Act also provides the authority to issue an administrative penalty, a violation ticket, or a warning.”

Since the video was released by CFJC Today last Wednesday (Mar. 23), the security guard has resigned from his position and sought legal counsel. He says he has received multiple death threats. A request to speak with his lawyer has not been returned.

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The incident happened at the storage and laundry facility on West Victoria Street on March 18. According the owner of Lapper Security Ed Lapierre, he was pushed and spat at prior to the video recording. He added his security guards deal with a lot of grief from a small percentage of the homeless population.

Lapierre says his company is still under contract with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and BC Housing, and no other contracts have been pulled following the video’s release.

Meantime, CMHA is now working with Lapper Security to provide all security guards with the proper training to deal with the street population.

“As part of our review, employees of Lapper Security will undergo mandatory training on how to safely interact with clients, de-escalating techniques and most of all respect the rights of the vulnerable population,” CMHA executive director Alfred Achoba told CFJC Today.

CMHA and the Kamloops RCMP are still trying to track down the street person involved in the incident.