ProTect is a social responsibility training program designed to:

• Improve observation and communication skills regarding patron and premises management
• Prevent, defuse and manage customer disturbances
• Increase the safety and security of staff and patrons in licensed premises, and
• Reduce the risk of liability.

Participants will learn:

• Roles and responsibilities of security staff
• Essential steps to controlling customer disturbances
• Strategies to stay in control of a bad situation
• Actions and behaviours to de-escalate disputes
• Principles for dealing with extreme situations
• The importance of keeping your cool, and
• Legal responsibilities and liabilities.

ProTect provides workers with training on the social responsibilities related to maintaining the security and physical safety of the licensed premises, patrons and staff.

In November 2005 and March 2006, AGLC and Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security held roundtable meetings to gather input, information and advice from stakeholders on the issue of violence in licensed premises.

Participants recognized that trained staff can play an important role in identifying and handling aggression before it escalates into violence, and that properly implemented training programs can reduce licensees' risk of liability and insurance costs. The development of a complementary, certificated training program for security staff was proposed.

ProTect Security Staff Training is derived from Ontario's Safer Bars training program, which was developed by Dr. Kathryn Graham. The program covers the following topics:

• Roles and responsibilities of security and door staff
• Legal issues and responsibilities
• Understanding how aggression escalates
• Assessing the situation
• Keeping cool
• Understanding and using effective body language
• Responding to problems
• Procedures for documenting events after the incident

AGLC began conducting ProTect seminars throughout Alberta in February 2008. Online delivery began in March 2010, allowing for increased accessibility for industry staff.

ProTect is aimed at increasing patron and staff safety. Training will help security and door staff improve their observation and communication skills, preparing them to prevent, defuse, and manage customer disturbances.

SMART Training programs help to ensure industry workers are well-prepared to provide responsible service at Alberta'a licensed premises.

ProTect certification is mandatory for full-time and part-time industry staff working in a Class A Minors Prohibited premises and at a Commercial Public Resale Special Event in the following positions:

• All individuals who manage or supervise security staff;
• Security staff (directly employed or contracted by the licensee); and
• Owners and managers of a company contracted to provide security.

Class B large-format bike operators and attendants must also be ProTect-certified.

Note: All individuals requiring ProTect certification must have ProServe certification. Other SMART certificates may also be required.

Persons requiring ProTect certification must be certified:

1. Within 30 days of their employment start date for all new hires in a Class A Minors Prohibited premises or;
2. Before a Commercial Public Resale Special Event.

More information is in AGLC's Licensee Handbook, at aglc.ca.

ProTect certification is not required for staff working full-time or part-time:

• At Class A Minors Allowed, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E and Duty Free premises
• At a Class A Minors Prohibited premises in a position not listed in Section 1.7.2 of the Licensee Handbook
• At a function licensed as a Community Public Resale Special Event, and
• At a function licensed as a Private Special Event

Licensee staff and Commercial Public Resale Special Event volunteers must provide proof of ProTect certification at the request of an AGLC Inspector.

Licensees with uncertified staff could face penalties such as a warning, fine, liquor licence suspension or licence termination.

Liquor legislation and policies are online at aglc.ca.

All individuals requiring ProTect certification must also be ProServe-certified.

Policy and program content may change after workers are certified. Industry workers are responsible for reviewing program content and AGLC's policies to keep their knowledge current.

AGLC's liquor and gaming policies are at aglc.ca.

See the Frequently Asked Questions and Contact Us pages, or contact SMART Programs: