The Calgary Police Service recently approved a phased-in approach
to revise the current Alarm Services Bylaw (31M95) and how
officers are dispatched. This will result in a change in how and
when police respond to alarm calls. Public safety is paramount to
the Calgary Police Service; these changes will facilitate an
improved service to permit holders and licensed alarm agencies.
The Calgary Police Service currently responds to approximately 45
alarm calls each day. Of these calls, 96 per cent are deemed to be
false alarms. It takes significant police resources to clear a
false alarm call. These changes allow CPS to respond to legitimate
public safety concern calls for service.
Changes to the dispatch criteria will make for more efficient use
of police resources and will better align Calgary with how other
major police services across Canada and North America respond to
alarm calls.
Please note that all calls for service involving panic, hold-up or
duress alarms, and any verified valid alarm activations will still
be attended to by police.
Changes to Police Dispatch Criteria
Effective May 15, 2016, Calgary 9-1-1 will no longer dispatch
police to '1-hit' alarm activations, where only one zone has been
activated in a premise. Alarm agencies will also be required to
conduct enhanced call verification, where they must attempt to
contact at least two key holders prior to contacting police.
A second phase will be brought in during the second half of 2016,
which will result in changes to Calgary's current alarm permit
system, associated penalties and additional dispatch changes.
Alarm System Permits
The Calgary Police Service will also begin charging for permits,
which will require an annual renewal. Permitting fees will enable
the Service to recover the costs associated with alarm calls,
ensuring an efficient use of resources. The permit fee for
residential and commercial/financial premises is still under
review.
New False Alarm Penalty Fees
A new false alarm penalty structure for recurrent false alarms
will also be implemented. Recommendations are being considered for
the new false alarm penalty structure that will hold permit
holders and alarm agencies more accountable when police are asked
to attend alarm calls.
These recommendations are currently pending approval by City of
Calgary Council.
False alarm penalties will continue to be charged to the licensed
alarm agency requesting that police attend an alarm call. The
false alarm
penalty fee structure will be based on a 12-month period.
These measures will recover costs associated with alarm bylaw
administration and align with practices in other major
jurisdictions.
Additional Police Dispatch Changes
Calgary 9-1-1 will no longer dispatch calls for service to
premises where:
1) no alarm permit exists;
2) the permit is suspended;
3) the call for service is within 14 days of installation; and
4) the alarm agency is not properly licensed. Alarm calls will
also no longer be dispatched for commercial premises during
regular business hours, as indicated on the registered alarm
permit.
Without having to respond to false alarms, members of the Calgary
Police Service will be available to respond to other calls. We
anticipate that Calgary will see improved call response times,
with a focus on responses to valid alarm activations and priority
calls, and no increased risk to the public.
You will receive further notification when an official date has
been determined for the second phase of these changes.
If you have any questions regarding these changes please contact
the Calgary Police Service Alarm Bylaw Unit at
Alarmbylaw@calgarypolice.ca
or 403-428-8336.
Additional Links
CPS: Alarm Permit
Online
Services
CPS: Responding to
Alarms
AE Security