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Alberta Bailiff & Process Server Training

Tactical and use of force training
 
Both Bailiffs and Process Servers are technically peace officers in Alberta according to federal legislation (Canadian Criminal Code section and Canadian Firearms Act), but they are not sworn peace officers through the province. In other words, they do not have active appointments and they don't work for the provincial government as employees.

Process servers (persons employed for the service of civil process), do get contracted regularly by government to serve documents such as claims, jury summonses, subpoenas for court, court orders, restraining orders, orders for termination of rent, and others. Process servers may be permitted to carry firearms and baton. 

"Civil enforcement agencies employ bailiffs to collect on people’s outstanding debts. These include child and spousal support, court orders, parking fines, rent and taxes. To pay for outstanding debts, bailiffs take away and sell people’s property, such as vehicles, homes, cash, luxury items and jointly-owned possessions." (Source: www.alberta.ca/office-of-sheriff-civil-enforcement) Bailiffs also serve warrants.

Both functions involve attending private property in-person in an adversarial legal capacity.

Process Servers and Bailiffs are required to have very minimal training, which typically includes de-escalation training. This training is not enough for them to thoroughly understand use of force and physical technique to enable them to stay safe on the job.

Curriculum

Tip of Spear and Control Concepts Canada have partnered to offer a comprehensive 3 day program to ensure bailiffs and process servers know exactly what level of force is appropriate according to the law, and how to keep themselves safe while conducting their work.

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Day 1 – Scene assessment, Approaches and De-escalation

  • Alberta Peace Officer Use of Force Legislation (in Canada): in-person course + exam (3 hours)

  • Scene assessments

  • Pre-attack indicators

  • Verbal De-escalation and Persuasion: Contact pattern assessment framework and scenarios

  • Doorway approaches and positioning at door

  • Vehicles: factors, cover/concealment, fight in and around, approaches to and from vehicles

 

Day 2 – Basics in Combatives

  • Stances and movement

  • Strikes: palms, punches, hooks, uppercuts, hammers

  • Kicks: front, knee, back, side

  • Elbows: all directions

  • Defenses: Inside Defense, 360

  • Defenses for other attacks:

    • Front choke, headlocks, collar grabs (with push)

    • Ground defenses: breakfalls, mounted punch and choke

  • Scenarios:

    • Fighting in and around vehicles (Using student’s own vehicles)

    • Others

 

Day 3 – Advanced Close Quarters Combatives with Weapons

  • Knife:

    • Types of attacks: Stabs, slashes, cycling, etc.

    • Defenses and disarms for all spontaneous knife attacks plus ground-mounted stabs

  • Rifle / Shotgun: Defenses, disarms and retention (Train with airsoft or de-activated shotgun) *Staff most commonly use shotgun

  • Handgun: Defenses and disarms

  • Animal Spray (bear, dog, coyote): Disarms and retention (carry on belt or vest), (Use inerts for training)

  • Scenarios:

    • On approach in vehicle

    • At the front door

    • Transitioning from front door to vehicle while under threat​

    • Close quarter combat

    • Animal attacks from door to vehicle or vice versa

Oct 15, 2024, 9:00 a.m.
Tip of Spear Academy

Recommended Equipment

Tip of Spear strongly suggests that participants bring the following equipment to the training, so they can train without fear of harming each other or getting hurt themselves:

  • MMA gloves

  • Mouth guard

  • Groin protection

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