Hire Police for an Event

Ottawa Police is committed to providing a quality service to the community. The Paid Duty Program will allow clients to hire off-duty officers on a contract basis to provide a police presence at their events. Officers will not be assigned to any function that requires that they act outside the normal scope of police duties. Some of the assignments for which officers are available include (but are not limited to):

• Community events
• Festivals and concerts
• Film productions
• Parades
• Road construction
• Sporting events
• Traffic control 
• Over dimensional vehicles and superload escorts

Each request will be reviewed to ensure that it falls within the mandate of the Paid Duty Section.  The Paid Duty Section reserves the right to determine the number of officers required for an event based upon a risk assessment. Services will only be provided when all parties agree and all required positions are filled.

Are you planning an outdoor special event? For information on industry standards and best practices, or guidance in applying to hold an outdoor special event with the City of Ottawa, please visit Event Central.

NOTICE: The Ottawa Police Service Board, at its meeting of February 25, 2019, directed staff through a motion during the 2019 budget approval process, to increase the administration fee for City  and “for profit” Off Duty Policing Assignments (paid duty) by 15% from 20% to 35%.  Tier 2 rates are effective as of May 1, 2019. 

Paid Duty Rates*

*last updated December 2020.

Note

• The above costs include an admin fee;
• All contracts are subject to additional HST at 13%; 
• There is a four hour minimum charge for each officer and vehicle assigned to a duty.  

Contract Regulations

• All events requiring Ottawa Police Paid Duty Officers must be held or originate in the City of Ottawa. Requests for traffic services on Hwy 417 are the responsibility of the Ontario Provincial Police Ottawa Traffic Detachment (613-828-9171).
• There is a four hour minimum charge for each officer and vehicle assigned to a duty.

• All alcohol related events require that a Sergeant be in attendance.

• Last minute requests (within 48 hours of the duty) are subject to a late fee of 10%.

• If a client cancels the paid duty within 24 hours of the event, there is a 4 hour minimum charge for all resources scheduled (plus HST).  
• Police Officers are not allowed to accept payment at the event. Payment will be expected in advance of the duty and will be arranged with the City's Accounts Receivable Department. Any additional fees as the result of extended hours will be billed to the client after they are calculated.

Information required for paid duty requests

All requests for paid duties must be received a minimum of 10 days prior to the request start date and include the following information:

• Organization/Client name and main contact
• Billing address
• Telephone and Fax # 
• Email address
• Date of event
• Nature of the event and number of participants expected
• Location of the event including exact location where the client wishes the officers to report
• Start time and end time for the officers
• Contact name and cell # for an individual to whom the officer(s) will report on the date of the event

Due to the Pandemic State of Emergency, we are filling traffic direction duties for essential services only. Please be sure to make your paid duty request 10-14 days before the date of the traffic duty

To request Paid Duty Officers, please send an email to paidduty@ottawapolice.ca.

Be sure to include:

• Requested date
• Length of time required
• Your company name
• Email address (to send confirmation of booking)
• The name and phone number of on-site supervisor
• Instructions for officer awareness (optional)
• Attach any documents if available (optional)

Contact Information