HALF A CENTURY LATER, THE VISION THAT SPARKED PALADIN CONTINUES TO GUIDE US FORWARD. THIS IS OUR JOURNEY.
1976 - Paladin Security
is Born
Hugh Cooper had a vision: in 1976, he embarked on creating a security company built on trust and service excellence. That vision began to take shape when Paladin secured its first contract at Fibreco Export, providing both security and janitorial services. When janitors didn’t show up, Hugh called his younger brother, Ashley, a high school student, to fill in. For Ashley, this was more than a job – it was family pulling together to make things work. In that moment, a seed was planted that would grow to be the Paladin Family.
1988 - Ashley Cooper Purchases Paladin
Ashley saw potential where others saw a small operation. After graduating from the University of British Columbia with a commerce degree, he purchased Paladin from Hugh, determined to transform it into something extraordinary. Paladin secures its first hospital contract at Riverview Hospital.
1991 - Paladin Security Systems Is Launched
Ashley was ready to take Paladin to the next level. He crafted a mission statement—one that still guides us today—and his brother Fraser joined the team. Together, they launched Paladin Security Systems, expanding the capabilities and vision of the company.
1994 - First Operations Centre is Established
Paladin launched its first operations centre in North Vancouver, leveraging cutting-edge technology to respond to alarms and incidents faster than ever before. Paladin also secured its first campus contract at BCIT, paving the way for expansion into different verticals.
WHAT STARTED AS A SMALL OPERATION CARRIED THE SPIRIT OF SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER.
1998 - Paladin Expands to Edmonton & Calgary
Paladin’s first major leap outside of Vancouver came with the acquisition of Northern Protection, an Edmonton-based security company. Soon after, Paladin entered the Calgary market, and the company was ready to grow beyond its West Coast roots.
2001 - Vancouver Coastal Health Contract is Secured
9/11 shakes the world, and security moves to the forefront of everyone’s mind. In this climate of uncertainty and heightened awareness, Paladin expands its healthcare portfolio and reaches a major milestone by securing a contract with Vancouver Coastal Health, reinforcing our commitment to protecting critical spaces within our communities.
2006 - Further Expansion Throughout Alberta
By 2006, Paladin had grown its service portfolio, protecting hospitals, colleges, and events, as well as commercial, industrial, and retail properties. Through mobile responses, canine patrols, and a state-of-the-art operations centre, Paladin was prepared to face any challenge. It was this year that Paladin secured a landmark contract with Albian Sands as Paladin’s first oil sands project. This opportunity opened the door to Fort McMurray, solidifying Paladin’s ability to take on complex, remote operations, and setting the stage for future industrial growth.
2008 - Expansion to Toronto & Kingston
Paladin acquires Carecor, an Ontario-based security company, extending operations to Toronto and Kingston. Recognition follows with an IAHSS Award of Distinction and a Carillion Values Award, affirming Paladin’s commitment to excellence.
WITH EVERY NEW REGION UNDER OUR PROTECTION, OUR PURPOSE ONLY GREW STRONGER.
2010 - Paladin Takes Off
Paladin secures its largest contract to date with Alberta Health Services, expanding into Medicine Hat and Red Deer. Acquisitions of Outdoor Box Office (OBO) in Manitoba and Elite Security in Windsor push Paladin further east, adding operations in Winnipeg, Brandon, and Windsor. To reflect this evolution, Paladin unveils a new logo and refreshes its fleet design—a bold symbol of a once small company now on the rise.
2011 - National Presence, Local Expertise
Paladin crosses into Atlantic Canada with the acquisition of Reliant Security and secures a major healthcare contract with the Nova Scotia Health Authority, establishing operations in Halifax. Growth continues nationwide with new offices in Grande Prairie and Nanaimo, marking another step toward becoming a truly national security leader.
2012 - Paladin Earns Increased Recognition
By 2012, Paladin’s name was becoming more recognized in the market. Paladin was honoured with the Deloitte Best Managed Companies award, while CEO Ashley Cooper was honoured as Ernst & Young’s Pacific Entrepreneur of the Year. Paladin also won the Ernst & Young B2B category for Products & Services, with a team that now spanned 6,000 employees nationwide.
2013 - Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture
In 2013, Paladin’s commitment to people and service began to become more known, and Paladin was recognized by Waterstone as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures. Paladin was also honoured by BOMA, winning a National Pinnacle Award for Customer Service.
OUR CULTURE IS THE GUIDING FORCE BEHIND EVERY WIN.
2014 - Accelerated Growth Across Canada
Expansion accelerated as Paladin opened offices in St. John’s, Kamloops, Kelowna, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls; bringing our total office count to 22 and strengthening Paladin’s footprint across Canada. Paladin is recognized by the Burnaby Board of Trade, winning Business of the Year, and Ashley was named the British Columbia CEO of the Year for mid-market companies.
2015 - Operations Expand to the U.S. Through PalAmerican Security
In 2015, Paladin made its boldest move yet—launching PalAmerican Security through the acquisition of U.S.-based Criterion Security. In Canada, Paladin continued to grow with the acquisitions of Regional Security and Action BMS Group, expanding our full-service security offerings and entering the Prince George market.
2017 - Paladin's Workforce Grows to Twelve Thousand
Paladin secures its first airport contract at Ottawa Airport, providing airport security services for travelers. Growth accelerated with the acquisition of Concord Security and subsequently Concord Parking. Paladin Technologies began to grow through mergers with other Canadian integrators, improving Paladin’s full-service offerings across the country. Paladin’s workforce doubled in five years, reaching 12,000 employees across North America.
2019 - Service Offerings Expand Through Paladin Risk Solutions
Paladin launched it’s newest division, Paladin Risk Solutions, expanding capabilities to include intelligence, investigations, and advanced risk monitoring for companies. Paladin was again recognized as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for 6 consecutive years, and achieved Platinum status after winning the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Award for 7 straight years.
BUILT ON EXPERIENCE, DELIVERED WITH CARE.
2020 - Forbes Canada's Best Employers
As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Paladin was faced with an unprecedented surge in demand for security services. The Paladin Family worked on the front-line at hospitals, protecting government and other essential services. Paladin is recognized by Forbes in 2020 as Canada’s Best Employers, and Paladin receives a BOMA National Pinnacle Award for Innovation.
2022 - Paladin Family Now Stands At Twenty-Thousand Strong
Expansion continued across North America with new offices in Saskatoon, Regina, Moncton, Campbell River, and London, alongside services for New Brunswick Health. After being recognized as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for 9 years, Paladin earned a place in the Hall of Fame, with a workforce that now reached 20,000 team members across two countries.
2024 - Paladin Airport Security Services is Launched
In 2024, Paladin secures its largest contract to date with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and forms a new company, Paladin Airport Security Services (PASS). Paladin begins providing screening services across airports in Western and Northern Canada, resulting in 34 new offices being opened across Canada.
2025 - Full-Service Security Offerings Across North America
Growth accelerated with the acquisition of Footprints Security on Vancouver Island and U.S. expansion through Anderson Security and Patrol Protect Secure, strengthening operations across the United States. PalAmerican Security secured a major healthcare contract in Colarado, serving as the largest contract to date for this division.
