Serving It Right for security and door staff

Licence first

The LCRB’s liquor primary terms say anyone providing door security must be licensed under BC’s Security Services Act. That licence is separate from Serving It Right.

Do door staff need Serving It Right?

Serving It Right is required for licensees, managers and staff who sell or serve liquor. The program’s “who needs it” list doesn’t name door or security staff separately, so if you never sell or serve, check with your employer: many ask for it, and the course covers exactly what door staff do.

The rules you enforce at the door

• Minors: unless the licence allows minors, keep under-19s out. Any doubt? Two pieces of ID, checked in a well-lit, quiet spot. See checking ID in BC.
• Intoxicated people must not be allowed in.
• The 24-hour rule: anyone asked to leave or barred can’t come back for at least 24 hours; returning is an offence and they may be arrested.
• Capacity: control every entry point and count people in and out; never exceed the licence or occupant load.
• Weapons: don’t let a person with a weapon in or let them stay; call the police if you know or suspect one.
• Disorderly conduct: if it has happened, is happening or may happen, notify the police immediately.
• Log it: refusals at the door and removals go in the incident log.

Fights and removals

Ask clearly, give the person a few minutes and call police if they won’t go. If force is unavoidable, use only the minimum necessary; injury can expose you and the bar to legal action. If groups may keep fighting outside, stagger removals and use different exits. In Hartley v. RCM Management (BC Supreme Court, 2010), a nightclub was found liable because security didn’t step in during a two-minute shoving match before a patron was hurt, though courts have also said staff aren’t obliged to risk injury breaking up a fight that’s out of control.