Major Crimes Unit investigating video of security guard’s alleged use of force in Winnipeg store

First Nations groups want answers after a video surfaced showing a security guard allegedly assaulting a shoplifting suspect. Danton Unger reports.

Winnipeg police’s major crimes unit is investigating a video showing a security guard punching and kicking a man.

The minute-and-a-half video was posted on Facebook Saturday. It appears to show a security guard holding another man on the ground, punching him in the head, stomping on his ribs, and, at one point, appearing to be wearing some type of brass-knuckle weapon.

In the video, the security guard can be heard yelling at the man on the ground, “Stay down or I’ll f-----g kill you.”

Const. Claude Chancy, a public information officer with the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS), confirmed officers were called to the Dollarama on Portage Avenue in Downtown Winnipeg on Saturday afternoon for a reported robbery and fight with security.

Chancy said the 46-year-old man was medically cleared and is facing charges of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and robbery. The charges have not been tested in court, and police said the man was released on an undertaking.

“The security guard suffered minor injuries and did not require medical attention,” he wrote in an email to CTV News.

Chancy said police were made aware of the video the next day and have tasked the major crimes unit to investigate.

Security guard removed from active duty

A spokesperson for Dollarama told CTV News the company does not authorize the use of force in any situation from its licensed third-party security firms.

“Following the incident, we put the security firm on notice while we investigate why protocol was not followed, and we are fully cooperating with the authorities in their investigation,” the spokesperson wrote.

Ron D’Errico, president and CEO of Impact Security Group, confirmed the security guard involved is an Impact employee and has been removed from active duty.

He said the guard acted ‘out of scope’ of his training.

“Every officer is given training. They are taught use of force. They are taught how to comply with arrest procedures. Why this went off the rails? I can’t answer that. I don’t know what this individual was thinking,” D’Errico said.

D’Errico wouldn’t confirm if the guard was using brass knuckles but said the investigation is ongoing.

He said Impact Security Group has reported the matter to Manitoba Justice and is working hand-in-hand with its investigation. He said further actions against the guard will be decided after the company’s investigation in consultation with the guard’s union representative.

Video prompts calls for independent review

The incident has prompted several First Nation groups to condemn the alleged actions of the security guard.

The Southern Chiefs Organization, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) have all issued statements, calling for an independent review under the provincial The Private Investigators and Security Guards Act.

MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee called the incident deeply disturbing.

“What we are seeing is not an isolated incident,” Settee said in a statement. “It reflects systemic racism that First Nations people continue to experience at the hands of security personnel and other authorities. Even where theft is alleged, violence is not justified.”

It was a sentiment shared by AMC Grand Chief Kyra Wilson.

“What I saw in that video is concerning,” Wilson said in a statement issued Sunday. “While we must allow the proper investigative process to unfold, the images raise serious questions about use-of-force practices and how First Nations people are being treated in public spaces.”

Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe confirmed to CTV News the registrar of security guard licensing in Manitoba has suspended this guard’s license.

While he wouldn’t commit to a review under the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act, Wiebe said the province is already working to modernize the security guard training program.

“There’s a real need to ensure that security guard training is appropriate, that it’s capturing the reality of what the community is seeing,” he said.

‘We don’t want to be the goon security company’

D’Errico said this is not the image Impact Security wants to represent and said the actions of the officer do not align with its mission to provide safety and security in public settings.

“We don’t want to be the goon security company,” he told CTV News.

“We have, like every other company, one bad egg. Unfortunately, that blemishes the rest of the team and the hard-working efforts. But I’m confident that the rest of the team will pick up and move on from here.

D’Errico said Impact Security Group will be working with the community and law enforcement.