Responding to Alarms and False Alarms

Public safety is our priority. To ensure police officers are available for emergencies, we’re reducing responses to false alarms.

Police will continue to immediately respond to:

• Panic, hold-up and distress alarms
• Verified alarm activations

Police may not be dispatched for:

• Single-zone (“one-hit”) activations
• Alarms without a valid permit
• Suspended permits
• Alarms within 14 days of installation
• Unlicensed alarm companies
• Commercial premises during listed business hours

Alarm companies must attempt to contact at least two key holders before calling police.

To reduce repeat false alarms, penalties apply to the licensed alarm company that requested police. The penalties are outlined in the Alarm Services Bylaw.

A false alarm penalty can be disputed within six weeks of the date on the notice by emailing a request for review to alarmbylaw@calgarypolice.ca.

No payment is required during the review period. We will respond to the request within 45 days.

You can pay a false alarm penalty online, by mail or in person.

By mail

Send your paperwork with a cheque or money order payable to the Calgary Police Service by regular mail to:

Calgary Police Service
Alarm Bylaw Unit #609
5111 47 St. N.E.
Calgary, Alberta  T3J 3R2

In person

Drop off your paperwork and pay at:

• Calgary Police Service Headquarters – Westwinds (5111 – 47 St. N.E.)
  • Accepts cash, debit, credit, cheque or money order
  • Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Closed on statutory holidays.

• Any Calgary Police Service district office 
  • Accepts debit, credit, cheque or money order