Police Policy Guides

Many cities and regions across Canada have implemented False Alarm Policies and Registration Programs. Unfortunately the policies are different in each region. Following is an alphabetical list of regions that have policies and/or programs. If you require more information, please call your local police department or your servicing dealer.

Ontario

Barrie Region
Registration:  No registration program for police response. 

False Alarm By-Law:  Customer receives one (1) free false police dispatch within a 365-day period.  After the second (2) dispatch, the customer is suspended.  The customer may pay a $100.00 fine to be reinstated.  On the third (3) false dispatch the customer must pay a $200.00 fine, the fourth (4) false dispatch is a $300.00 fine.  After five (5) false dispatches in 365 days the customer will be suspended.  The Barrie police invoice the customer directly. (Police Services Board By-Law 89-1)  
Contact:  Constable Dave McClymont  (705) 725-7025 Ext. 155, Fax: (705) 728-2971.

 Chatham Region
Registration:  Customer must be registered with the Chatham Regional Police.  The registration number must be provided on the Counterforce Monitoring Agreement in the "Police ID" box.  There is no charge for registration. 

False Alarm Policy:  The customer is allowed three (3) false dispatches in any 30-day period.  Following the third false dispatch they will be sent a caution notice.  If they receive three (3) additional false dispatches within six (6) months, the customer will be suspended for six (6) months.  The customer can pay $300.00 to the Chatham Police for reinstatement of services.  The police will deduct $50.00 per subsequent false dispatch.  Customer may also be fined from $50.00 - $200.00 if their siren runs longer than 15 minutes, an auto-dialer is used to call the police or if the customer cannot attend the alarm within 30 minutes to meet the police.  Contact:  Sergeant Lutes  (519) 436-6600.

Cornwall Region
Registration:  Customer must be registered with the Cornwall Police Service.  The registration number must be provided on the Counterforce Monitoring Agreement in the "Police ID" box.  There is a "one-time" registration fee: Residential = $20.00, Small Commercial (under 2000 sq.ft.) = $20.00, Large Commercial (over 2000 sq.ft.) = $50.00.

False Alarm Policy: Registered residential and commercial customers will be allowed 1 free false alarm per calendar year. A second F/A (per calendar year) results in a $25.00 fine for residential customers and small commercial premises, and a $50.00 fine for large commercial premises. A third F/A (per calendar year) results in a $50.00 fine for residential and small commercial premises, and a $100.00 fine for large commercial premises

A fourth and subsequent F/A (per calendar year) results in suspension of Police service for the remainder of that calendar year. If the fines are not paid the registration is revoked and police will not respond. 

A $150.00 reinstatement fee may be paid in lieu of the suspension and sent along with a letter stating that the system has been upgraded or repaired.  This will allow the customer 1 more F/A for that calendar year before being suspended again.  Contact:  Lise Trottier  (613) 933-5000 ext. 467, Fax:  (613) 932-9317.

Durham Region
Registration:  Customer must be registered with the Durham Regional Police by Counterforce. Residential rate is $55.00; Commercial rate is $105.00 (GST extra) (administration charge included). Customers who do not register will be fined $150.00 upon 1^st False Alarm and suspended from Durham police service.  Customer can transfer Police Registration if moving within Durham.  New Owners can use the Old Owners Police Registration if the Old Owner never took with them, but New Owner has to accept all past history of Old Owner, False Alarms etc.

False Alarm Policy:  Each customer is entitled to two (2) free false dispatches.  On the third (3) false dispatch, the customer will be suspended for one year.  The customer can reinstate their account by making a payment of $150.00 to the Durham Police.  Contact:  Heather Turner  (888) 579-1520 ext. 6486, Fax: (905) 721-4240.

 Essex County
Registration:  No registration program for police response. 

False Alarm Policy: All incidents must be verified before dispatching the police.  If the Monitoring Station cannot make contact with alarm owner, the names of alarm owner must be given to the police.

Guelph, The City of  
Registration:  Customer must be registered with the Guelph Police Service.  The customer can be registered only by Counterforce.  Customers who are not registered will not receive police response.

Registration Fees:  Residential & Commercial $50.00.  Registration is annual and runs from January 1^st.   There is a pro-rated price after June 30^th of $5.00 a month to the end of the calendar year.

Registration Fees if Counterforce Registers Customer: Residential & Commercial $55.00.  Pro-rated price after June 30^th of $6.00 per month to the end of the calendar year. (Administrative charge included).    

False Alarm Policy:  Each account is entitled to three (3) false dispatches in a calendar year.  After three (3) dispatches the customer will be suspended for the remainder of that calendar year. The customer may pay a $100.00 fee to be reinstated.   Contact: Audra Finoro (519) 824-1212 ext. 272,  Fax: (519) 822-0949.

 
Haldimand-Norfolk Region
Registration:  Dealer must obtain applications for Alarm Registrations from the Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Police.  Customer is responsible for completing the form and sending it to the Haldimand-Norfolk Police.  The charge is $15.00 for Residential or Commercial premises. (By-law #1-97)

False Alarm Policy:  The police will respond to two (2) false alarms within a 365-day period without any fees for service.  The third and fourth false alarms within a 365-day period will result in a service fee of $50.00 for registered premises and $75.00 for unregistered premises.  After the fourth false alarm, police response may be suspended for one year.   Contact:  Alarm Coordinator  (519) 426-3434 ex. 3203  Fax:  (519) 426-5023.

Halton Region
Registration: Customer has the option of registering with the Halton Regional Police Service.  The customer can only be registered by Counterforce (see enclosed procedures).  The partner must indicate "Please Register Customer" on the Counterforce Monitoring Agreement.  The partner must also indicate the fees for registration on a separate line item from the monitoring fees and the customer must sign the Monitoring Agreement.

Police Registration Fees:  Residential $24.00, Commercial $48.00. This is an annual registration fee.

Registration Fees if Counterforce Registers Customer:  Residential $29.00, Commercial $53.00. (GST extra) (Administration charge included)

False Alarm Policy:  Registered Customers receive the first (1) false dispatch free.  The second (2nd) dispatch = $30.00 residential or $60.00 commercial, the third (3rd) dispatch = $30.00 residential or $60.00 commercial.  If a customer is not registered or the customer is suspended and the police are dispatched to a false alarm they will be charged a fine of $50.00 residential or $100.00 commercial for every false alarm.  All fines are sent to Counterforce.  Counterforce will send a bill to the customer.  Customer is allowed four (4) false dispatches in a 365-day period.  Customer is cautioned after two (2) false dispatches.  If a customer receives a false alarm fine, it must be paid within 30 days to Counterforce, or the customer’s account will be changed to CLO (Call List Only).   Contact:  Taye Graham  (905) 825-4747 ext. 5149,  Fax: (905) 825-5899

 
Hamilton-Wentworth
Registration:  Customer has the option of registering with the Hamilton-Wentworth Police.  All registrations are done through the Hamilton Police Department.  Counterforce notifies Hamilton Police of all new customers and Hamilton police will send out the registration forms. If the customer registers with the police, their fees for false alarms are decreased.

Police Registration Fees:  Residential $24.00, Commercial $48.00 (GST extra)

False Alarm Policy:  Registered Customers - receive the first (1) false dispatch free.  The

second (2nd) dispatch = $24.00 residential, $48.00 commercial, the third (3^rd) dispatch = $36.00 residential, $72.00 commercial.  Non-Registered Customers - must pay a fine of $50.00 residential or $100.00 commercial for every false alarm.  All fines are sent to the customer by the Hamilton Police Department.  If the customer receives four (4) false dispatches in 365 days the customer is suspended.  The alarm company can appeal the suspension within 14 days.  If appeal is accepted, the customer will be allowed one (1) more false dispatch in 365 days. Contact:  Chris Van Geest  (905) 546-4718,  Fax: (905) 546-3892 e-mail alarmcor@hamiltonpolice.on.ca
 

 Ingersoll Police Service
Registration: the partner must register Customers with the Ingersoll Police.  Customers must register each year by January 31^st to ensure continued police response.

Registration Fees:  2001 Registration fee is Residential & Commercial $50.00.  Registration is annual and runs from January 1^st.   2002 Registration fee and subsequent years is Residential & Commercial  = $50.00.  There is a pro-rated price from July 1/01 to January 1st, which is $4.17/m.  The partner will receive an Alarm ID number and must indicate that number on the Counterforce Monitoring Agreement in the "Police ID" box.  Police will not respond to alarms of unregistered premises unless verified to be valid.  When an alarm is reported by way of an automatic dial system, no police response will be initiated unless it is a medical panic alarm.  No fee will be charged for response to this class of alarm.

False Alarm Policy:  The customer is entitled to three (3) false alarm dispatches within a 365-day calendar year.  The customer will be cautioned after the fourth (4^th) false alarm dispatch.  The customer will be suspended after the fifth (5^th) false alarm dispatch 14 days from the date of the suspension letter for a period of 365 days.  The suspension could be lifted upon payment of a non-refundable fee of $100.00 to the Ingersoll Police.  Once the fee is received along with a letter explain malfunction, a Re-instatement Notice will be issued to the customer.  Once the appeal is accepted, the premise will be re-instated to a “Special Caution Notice” status for a period of 365 days.  Contact:  Alarm Co-Coordinator Julia Long (519) 485-6554, Fax: (519) 485-6949 

 Kingston Region
Registration:  Annual registration fee of $45.00.  The registration must be done through Counterforce.

False Alarm Policy:  The registered customer is allowed one (1) free false dispatch in a 365-day period.  There are fees for the second, third, fourth and fifth dispatches: the second is fined $60.00, the third is fined $90.00, the fourth is fined $120.00, and the fifth is fined $150.00.  If a customer is not registered, and there is a false alarm, the customer will be charged $45.00 for the registration as well as $60.00 for the false alarm.
Contact:  Penny McAllister (613) 549-4660 ext. 2263, Fax:  (613) 549-3111.

 London Region   
Registration: the partner must register Customer with the City of London. There is no fee for registration.  The partner must indicate the registration number on the Counterforce Monitoring Agreement in the "Police ID" box.  Customers who are not registered will not receive police response.

False Alarm Policy:  Customer is cautioned after the first false dispatch.  On the second false dispatch the customer will be suspended for one year.  Customer may be reinstated if they pay a $200.00 fine. Police may not respond to the dispatch if they are too busy and cannot make it to the premises within 30 minutes.  NOTE: All key holders must be called before a dispatch will be accepted.
Contact:  Nanette Mitchell  (519) 661-5849,  Fax: (519) 661-5835.
 

 Metropolitan Toronto (Toronto, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, North York)
Registration:  No registration program for police response. 

False Alarm By-Law:  There is an $83.50 fine for false dispatches that is billed to Counterforce (GST Extra).  Customer receives a caution notice after the second (2) false dispatch and is suspended after the fourth (4) dispatch within a 365 day period.

Counterforce Program: Customers must choose between paying a flat fee for private guard response ($21.00 residential or $60.00 commercial) GST extra, and Call List Only.  If the customer insists on police response, they may pay a flat fee = $42.00 residential or $117.00 commercial (GST extra).  In some circumstances you may have to offer "Pay As You Go" police response.  In this remote situation, the customer must provide a note saying they agree to pay a fee of $83.50 (GST extra) if they have a false alarm.  Please indicate the type of response required on the Monitoring Agreement.  See the enclosed procedures for more information.  (Police Services By-Law 110).  Contact: Constable Elizabeth Gutierrez (416) 808-8864, Fax: (416) 808-8862. Or Antonia (416) 808-8860
 

 Midland Region
Registration:  No registration program for police response. 

False Alarm By-Law:  The customer is allowed two (2) free false dispatches.  Any additional false dispatches will incur a fine of $100.00.  If the customer does not pay the fine, police response will be suspended. (Police Service Board By-Law 6)  Contact:  Inspector Dan Gilvert (705) 527-6633,  Fax (705) 528-6035.

 Town of Mono
Registration:  No registration program for police response.

False Alarm Policy: The customer will receive a caution notice after the second (2^nd) false dispatch in a twelve-month period.  The customer will receive a suspension notice after the third (3^rd) and each successive false alarm.  Reinstatement will be allowed if the customers pays a fee of $500 within 15 days of the notice or a letter is written from the alarm company or company that installed the system to notify Town of Mono of the steps taken to curb the situation.  Reinstatement is at the discretion of the Alarm Co-coordinator at The Town of Mono. Contact:  Tess Smith, Secretary (519) 941-9490
 

Muskoka
Registration:  This bylaw pertains to customers in the municipality of Muskoka that are dispatched through Central Region O.P.P.  There is no fee for registration.

False Alarm By-law: All customers have 1 free false alarm per response year (alarm response year means the 12-month period preceding and ending on the date the first false alarm is given).  If the customer has any more false alarms within that response year, they will be billed $200.00 per alarm.

After the first false alarm in an alarm response year, a warning notice will be sent to the customer.  After the second false alarm in an alarm response year, a notice of suspension will be sent to the customer.

British Columbia

Kelowna RCMP Department
Registration Program:  No registration. 
Registration Fees:  No fees.
False Alarm Policy: The police will not attend residential and commercial alarms unless the operator verifies the signal and a keyholder will attend.  The police will not respond to business alarms during normal working hours or during power outages. 
Invoicing:  No fines.
Contact:  Alarm Coordinator (604) 762-3300, Fax  (604) 762-3751.

Surrey RCMP Department
Registration Program:  No registration.
Registration Fees:  No fees.
False Alarm Policy: At the present time, the RCMP are testing a procedure where they don't respond to commercial alarms between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., 7 days a week, unless the alarm is confirmed.
Invoicing:  No fines.
Contact:  Alarm Coordinator

Vancouver Police Department
Registration Program:  Dealer registers customer and provides Counterforce with number on Counterforce Monitoring Agreement in “Police ID” box.
Registration Fees: Residential is $15.00, small commercial less than 140 sq. meters is $25.00 and large commercial over 140 sq. meters is $50.00  (annual).
False Alarm Policy: The customer is allowed three free false dispatches in a 365-day period.  On the fourth false dispatch the customer is suspended.  The customer has 14 days to appeal.  To be reinstated, a residential customer must pay $75.00; the second suspension is $150.00. If a commercial customer (premises smaller than 140 sq. meters) wants to be reinstated they must pay $125.00, the second suspension is $250.00. If a commercial customer (premises larger than 140 sq. meters) wants to be reinstated, they must pay $250.00; the second suspension is $500.00.
Invoicing:  Police invoice customer for fines.
Contact:  Alarm Coordinator (604) 871-6151, Fax (604) 871-6152.

 Victoria Police Department
Registration Program:  Dealer registers customer and provides Counterforce with number on Counterforce Monitoring Agreement in “Police ID” box.
Registration Fees: Fee is $15.00 (annual).
False Alarm Policy: Each customer receives four false dispatches in a 365-day period.  On the fifth false dispatch the permit is cancelled and the customer must pay $500.00 to reinstate police response.  This money is returned if the customer has less than three false dispatches in the next 12-month period.
Invoicing:  Police invoice customer for fines.
Contact:  Alarm Coordinator (604) 384-4111, Fax (604) 383-1581.

Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba

Calgary Police Department
Registration Program:  Dealer registers customer and provides Counterforce with number on Counterforce Monitoring Agreement in “Police ID” box.
Registration Fees:  No fees.
False Alarm Policy: Customer must meet the Police within 30 minutes after police dispatch.  Each customer receives three false dispatches in a 12-month period, on the fourth dispatch they are suspended for 30 days.  If the customer has three more false dispatches they are suspended for 90 days.  An additional three false dispatches results in a 120-day suspension, and three more false dispatches results in the customer being suspended six months. Counterforce will be charged $75.00 for every false dispatch.  This in turn will be charged back to the customer along with a $5.00 administration fee.  After this the customer may be fined $10,000.00. The police do not respond to commercial alarms from 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., unless the alarm is confirmed.  Counterforce cannot dispatch to new customers until 14 days after the installation.
Invoicing:  The police will invoice Counterforce, Counterforce will invoice the dealer.
Counterforce Program: If the customer does not want to pay the $80.00 (+GST) fine, they may choose to pay a flat rate for police response.  The fees are $3.00 (+GST) a month for residential premises and $8.50 (+GST) a month for commercial premises.
Invoicing:  The police will invoice Counterforce, Counterforce will invoice the customer.
Contact:  Alarm Bylaw Unit: (403) 268-4559.

Edmonton Police Department
Registration Program:  Dealer registers customer and provides Counterforce with number on Counterforce Monitoring Agreement in ‘Police ID” box.  Customers who are not registered will not receive police response.
Registration Fees:  The registration fee is $15.00 (annual).  The Change Permit Information is $10.00.
False Alarm Policy:  For each false dispatch, the following fines are applicable: residential customers $75.00, commercial customers with premises under 500 sq. feet $100.00 and commercial premises over 500 sq. ft. $150.00.  Each time a customer amends the registration form, a $10.00 charge will apply.  Each customer receives three false dispatches in a 365-day period, and then is suspended for three (3) months.  Each dispatch must be verified and customer must be able to meet the police in 30 minutes.
Invoicing:  Police invoice the customer.

Moose Jaw Police Department
Registration Program:  Either the dealer or Counterforce can register the customer with the Moose Jaw Police Service.
Registration Fees:  Registration fee is $15.00 (annual).  Counterforce will collect the registration fee from the customer and remit this fee to the police service.
False Alarm Policy:  A registered security system user is permitted two false alarms within a rolling 365-day period.  Counterforce will be required to use a 1-900 number in order for the customer to receive police response. 
Invoicing:  Counterforce will then be charged a fee of $75 by the Police Service for each call made on the 1-900 number system.  This charge will then be collected from the customer.  When the alarms are proven to be genuine, the Police service shall then refund the applicable fees that have been paid.
Contact:  The Moose Jaw Police Service Community Services Unit at (306) 694-7659.

North Battleford
Registration Program:  Counterforce registers customer.
Registration Fees:  Registration is a one time fee of $15.00.  Counterforce will collect the registration fee from the customer and remit this fee to the police service.
False Alarm Policy:  Counterforce will be required to use a 1-900 number in order for the customer to receive police response. 
Invoicing:  Counterforce will then be charged a fee of $75 by the Police Service for each call made on the 1-900 number system.  This charge will then be collected from the customer.  When the alarms are proven to be genuine, the Police service shall then refund the applicable fees that have been paid. Contact:  The North Battleford Police Service Community Services Unit at (306) 445-1700.

Saskatoon Police Department
Registration Program:  Dealer registers customer and provides Counterforce with number on Counterforce Monitoring Agreement in “Police ID” box.  Registration optional.
Registration Fees:  Registration fee is $15.00 (annual).
False Alarm Policy:  Registered customers are entitled to two free false alarms in a 365-day period.  On the third alarm, the station must call a 1-900 number.  Use of the 1-900 number results in a $55.00 fine.  After 365 days, the customer may request re-admittance to the program providing the alarm system is proven to be operating properly by the alarm business; and users have been educated on S.P.S. policy and alarm equipment.  Customers who are not registered will be charged $55.00 for police response.
Invoicing:  Police will invoice Counterforce, Counterforce will invoice the Dealer.
Contact:  The Saskatoon City Police Service.

Regina Police Department
Registration Program:  No registration.
Registration Fees:  No fees.
False Alarm Policy: The customer is allowed four false dispatches in a 365-day period.  On the third false dispatch the customer is issued a warning notice.  The fourth false dispatch will result in a 12-month suspension.  The customer can be reinstated after 30 days.
Invoicing:  No fines.
Contact:  Alarm Coordinator (306) 569-3333, Fax  (306) 757-5461.

Winnipeg Police Department
Registration Program:  Dealer registers customer and provides Counterforce with number on Counterforce Monitoring Agreement in “Police ID” box.
Registration Fees:  No fees.
False Alarm Policy: Each customer receives three false dispatches in a six-month period.  On the third false dispatch the customer may be suspended for six months.  There is no appeal process.
Invoicing:  No fines.  

Maritimes                                                                                                                      

Halifax Regional Municipality Police - (Halifax, Bedford)
Registration Program:  Dealer registers customer and provides Counterforce with number on Counterforce Monitoring Agreement in “Police ID” box.
Registration Fees:  Fee is $20.00 and runs from April 30th for a period of one year. 
False Alarm Policy: Each customer receives one free false dispatch in a 60-day period.  The customer must be able to meet the police in 30 minutes.  On the second and subsequent false dispatch the customer must pay $50.00. 
Invoicing:  Police invoice customer for fines

Fredericton Police Department
Registration Program:  No registration.
Registration Fees:  No fees.
False Alarm Policy: Each customer receives six free false dispatches in a period from May 1st each year.  On the 7th and subsequent false dispatch the customer must pay $50.00.  This policy is currently under review.
Invoicing:  Police invoice customer for fines.