During the summer of 2025, a group of security workers at B.C. hospitals raised concerns about how they are authorized to handle situations involving violence and drug use.
One of these workers, known as a relational security officer (RSO), reached out to 1130 NewsRadio to express his frustrations regarding the limitations in dealing with aggression, violence, and drug-related issues within Fraser Health hospitals.
The worker, who remained anonymous for protection, revealed that he lacked the authority to physically remove aggressive individuals from hospital premises or prevent drug usage. He could only request compliance and wait for law enforcement if the person refused to cooperate.
Furthermore, he highlighted the delay in providing security officers with handcuffs and questioned the adequacy of the training they receive.
Fraser Health defended the effectiveness of the RSO program, emphasizing its focus on trauma-informed practices and cultural safety, although the planned distribution of handcuffs to RSOs had not yet been realized.
In a related development, Elenore Sturko, the public safety critic for the BC Conservative party at the time, echoed similar concerns raised by RSOs regarding the restrictions of their roles. Sturko advocated for enhanced training and licensing for hospital security officers, or alternatively, assigning police officers to high-risk hospitals.
Following the initial report by 1130 NewsRadio, other current and former RSOs came forward with additional grievances, including issues with the quality of equipment provided to guards, particularly the protective vests. Concerns were raised about the lack of safety testing and certification specifications from the equipment supplier, leading to apprehension among some individuals.
After the investigation by 1130 NewsRadio, the company eventually responded by sharing test reports from the manufacturer in China.