Understanding Alarm Response

The Toronto Police Service dispatches officers to verified calls for burglar alarm activations, based on the criteria below:

• Audio device

• Video device;

• An eyewitness (i.e. private security or person at scene)

• Multiple zone activations

Burglar alarm activations include, but are not limited to, alarm distinctions described as burglar, motion, door, window and glass break.

Please note that panic alarm activations are EXCLUDED from the verified response criteria. Panic alarm activations include, but are not limited to, alarm distinctions described as panic, hold-up, duress and emergency buttons. Police respond to these activations without verification.

Verified alarm activations and panic alarm activations will be treated as high priority calls for service and will be dispatched to the first available police field unit. Police response will continue to be determined by the nature, demand, priorities and resources available at the time of the request for service.