Security Guard Services in Edmonton, AB

See the Canada page for coverage across Canada.

Retail Districts Covered in Edmonton

MGP supports retailers and property teams throughout the Edmonton region, including:

• West Edmonton Mall
• Southgate Centre
• Kingsway Mall
• Ice District
• Whyte Avenue
• 124 Street

Security Considerations in Edmonton

West Edmonton Mall is one of the largest shopping and entertainment complexes in North America, with attractions, hotels and hundreds of stores under one roof. Tenants in a property of this scale need officers who know their place within the larger security operation, communicate with mall security quickly and handle the mix of families, tourists and groups that the attractions bring in.

The Ice District around Rogers Place hosts Oilers games, concerts and events that bring large crowds downtown on short timelines. Nearby retail, office and residential buildings need coverage that changes on event nights, including controlled entrances, parkade patrols and officers who can manage crowds arriving and leaving without disrupting tenants.

Edmonton’s winters are among the coldest of any major Canadian city, with long nights and extreme temperatures for weeks at a time. Officers on exterior posts, parking patrols and loading docks need proper equipment and rotation plans, and buildings with pedway connections need attention to people seeking shelter in vestibules and connected walkways.

Security Services in Edmonton

Screening, Training and Supervision

Officers complete a five-stage screening process and tier-based training before assignment, including de-escalation and, for retail posts, organized retail crime recognition. Supervisors make unannounced site visits, and the MGP Operations Desk answers 24/7/365. Incidents are documented on scene, time-stamped and GPS-verified.

Alberta Licensing

Security licensing in Canada is set by each province. In Alberta, McCray Global Protection operates under the MGP Hybrid Operating Model. Officers are supplied by vetted local partners who hold the licenses required by the province, and MGP manages the program: screening and training standards, supervision, Post Orders, reporting and account management.

Security Officer Requirements in Alberta

• Security guards, patrol dog handlers, alarm responders, loss prevention workers and body guards in Alberta must hold an individual security service licence under the Security Services and Investigators Act. The licence costs $100, is valid for 2 years and stays valid if the worker changes or adds employers. Source
• Applicants must complete the Alberta Basic Security Training course or the Accredited Basic Security Training course and pass the provincial exam with a score of 80% or higher, unless they hold a valid licence from another Canadian province or territory. Source
• Applicants must be over 18, be eligible to work in Canada, meet an English fluency standard (Canadian Language Benchmark 5), and have no criminal record, outstanding charges or open criminal investigation. A criminal record check, vulnerable sector search and local police database search are all required, and they expire 90 days after issue. Source
• Officers who carry a baton need employer approval and a 40-hour baton use-of-force course, with recertification every 36 months. Source
• Businesses providing security services must be licensed, be a registered Canadian business with an Alberta address, and carry at least $1 million in liability insurance. Businesses that serve the public must also provide criminal record checks for owners, partners and the board of directors. A 3-year security services business licence costs $1,500. Source

Common Questions

How is security guard coverage priced?

Rates depend on the officer classification, hours, schedule and site requirements. MGP provides a written rate schedule after reviewing your needs. Holiday, overnight and short-notice coverage is billed at a premium rate.