The Calgary Police Service Special Event Security Team provides policing services for compensation, called pay duty. The pay duty program exists within the public policing model and provides policing services that are event, location or duty-specific and have a limited time frame. 

Services provided should enhance public safety and be identical to the policing services provided within a normal operational setting. Calgary Police Service members on pay duty assignments are not enhanced security.

Members on a pay duty assignment:

• remain under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Calgary Police Service
• provide policing services to the client and their event
• are not an employee of the client
• are assigned specifically to the event and do not respond to unrelated calls for police service in the area

Services provided by the Calgary Police Service pay duty officers include:

• Traffic control for roadways for such events as parades and road construction
• Security and public safety for such events as:
  • community and sporting events
  • television and movie film shoots
  • concerts and music events

Pay duty officers cannot be used for private functions or private purposes, including:

• weddings
• annual general meetings (AGMs)
• cash security
• bar security
• private security, including bodyguard services

Use of pay duty officers does not replace the need for proper city or provincial permits.

To ensure proper staffing, we recommend sending requests for pay duty officers a minimum of six to eight weeks ahead of your event.

Apply

1. Complete the Pay Duty Application Form
2. Submit the completed application form to the CPS pay duty office. 

Assessment

After receiving the application, the pay duty office will complete an assessment to review your request and determine what resources are required, if any. This process may take up to one full business week. 

It is the position of the Calgary Police Service that, when policing through private contract is required, adequate and necessary administrative and management practices are also required.  This starts with determining why a police officer is being requested for an event. 

The assessment considers:

• the public benefit of the pay duty request
• whether the staffing request is reasonable based on community expectations of the CPS
• whether the client has assessed and managed the real and perceived risks of the event when requesting a police officer

Due to officer safety and risk evaluation factors, we may determine that your requested number of officers or hours is not feasible. Our Special Event Security Team will review your request and work with you to ensure that your event is managed safely and efficiently.

When the assessment is complete, you will be notified by email if your application has been approved or declined.

Rates

2025 Pay Duty Program Rates*

All rates are subject to GST. There is a minimum three-hour charge per officer and per vehicle, per event.

_{*Please note the above rates represent pay duty hire rates, and include equipment and other associated costs. This does not reflect the standard pay for a Calgary Police Service officer.
**Marked police vehicles cannot be requested without an accompanying officer. If a marked vehicle is requested, the vehicle rates and the officer rate will apply.}

Cancellation

To avoid a cancellation charge, you must provide 24 hours notice of cancellation by email to the CPS pay duty office.

Related

Planning a festival or event with The City

Contact Information

Email: CPSpayduty@calgarypolice.ca

Phone: 403-428-2023

Pay Duty Office Hours of Operation

7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday

Closed weekends and statutory holidays

Pay duty officers can be requested to work events that are outside of business hours. Requests will be processed during business hours.