Paid Duty and Events

Ottawa Police is committed to providing quality service to the community.

The Paid Duty Program allows 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 super load escorts

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.

The Ottawa Police does not provide paid duty officers for Traffic Enforcement. Any traffic complaint or enforcement request should be submitted via the Ottawa Police online reporting system. Additionally, The Ottawa Police does not provide private security and will only provide paid duty officers to events which have already contracted private security for said event. The Ottawa Police Event Management Section will assess each paid duty request to determine whether The Ottawa Police can or will provide paid duty officers to the event.

Any paid duty request should be sent a minimum of two weeks prior to the event. We strongly encourage that requests for paid duties are sent as soon as possible with the exception of road construction paid duty requests. For road construction requests please consult with our paid duty office for booking timelines. The Ottawa Police cannot guarantee the assignment of paid duty officers to any requests due to capacity and shortages.

Paid Duty Rates*

As of January 1, 2026

Paid Duty rates per hour
Rank/Resource	Tier 1 Rates per hour Community groups, schools, not-for-profit and registered charities	Tier 2 Rates per hour All other events
Constable	$106.53	$119.85
Sergeant	$120.79	$135.89
Staff Sergeant	$134.23	$151.01
Special Constable	$112.23	126.26
Vehicles	$47.02	$53.70
Canine	$53.27	$60.83
Boats	$49.89	$56.97
ATV	$25.59	$29.30

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.
Each request is 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 on a risk assessment.
Services will only be provided when all parties agree, and all required positions are filled.

Contract Regulations

Paid Duty events must be held or originate in the City of Ottawa.

Requests for traffic services on Highway 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.
Alcohol-related events require a Sergeant 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 four-hour minimum charge for all resources scheduled (plus HST).
Police Officers are not allowed to accept payment at the event. Payment must be made in advance through the City of Ottawa'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

Requests for paid duties must be received a minimum of 10-14 days prior to the requested start date.

Email us at [email protected] your request and include:

Company name
Main name and number
Billing address
Telephone and fax numbers
Email address
Date(s) of event
Nature of the event and number of participants expected
Location of the event including the exact location where the client wishes the officers to report
Start time and end time for the officers

name and cell number of an individual to whom the officer(s) will report to on the date of the event
Instructions for officer awareness (optional)
Attach any documents, if available (optional)
An approved copy of the Traffic Control Plan in accordance with Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7.

To request Paid Duty officers, please send the above information in an email to [email protected].

Information

The Paid Duty office is open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding statutory and civic holidays.

Email us at [email protected] or call us at 613-236-1222, extension 2476.
- Fax: 613-760-8040
After-hours, emergency requests, cancellations, call 613-236-1222.