Attention All Alarm Monitoring/Installing Companies
London Verified Response Implementation
January 1, 2018
Commencing January 1st, 2018, the London Police Service will have transitioned to the new Verified Alarm Response program.
Please insure that you notify your customers accordingly to this new transition.
The following is a summary of the new London Police Service policy for the new Verified Alarm Response program:
GENERAL
In an attempt to reduce the number of false alarms across the City of London, the Verified Alarm Response Program (VARP) has been created. The initiative is intended to eliminate as many property related false alarms as possible and outlines the process under which the VARP may be employed. Members shall recognize that panic alarms related to the safety of a person are excluded from the VARP.
PANIC ALARM RESPONSE
The LPS shall provide immediate response to panic/hold-up/duress alarms when there is reason to believe that a crime is in progress or an emergency exists. Verification of a panic alarm is not required as the safety of the community is paramount. It is the responsibility of the alarm company or monitoring service to notify the Communications Section that a panic alarm has been engaged.
VERIFIED ALARM RESPONSE PROGRAM
The Verified Alarm Response Program is designed to reduce the number of false alarm calls attended by the LPS. Members will only be dispatched when alarms meet one or more of the verification criteria.
A. Verification of Alarms
It is the responsibility of the alarm or monitoring company to verify the legitimacy of an alarm. Verification of alarms must occur prior to notifying the LPS. In situations where the alarm company or monitoring service cannot verify the legitimacy of an alarm, the LPS shall not respond.
Prior to contacting the LPS, the alarm company or monitoring service must verify the alarm using at least one of the following criteria:
(a) Audio sensors that provide the alarm company or monitoring service with the ability to confirm criminal activity by the sounds detected within the premise;
(b) A video system that provides the alarm company or monitoring service with the ability to confirm criminal activity through visual images;
(c) Confirmation made by an owner, key holder, an alternate response agency, or a witness on scene who can confirm the existence of a suspected criminal act; or
(d) Multiple activation points along with the alarm company or monitoring system determines the manner or sequence of activation indicating that suspected criminal activity is, or has taken place.
B. Responsibilities
(1) Communications Section Members:
(a) Shall enquire whether the alarm or monitoring service has verified the alarm. If there has been no attempt to verify the alarm, the Communications member shall instruct the alarm or monitoring service to verify the alarm and subsequently contact the Communications Section if police are required;
(b) May dispatch officers to an unverified alarm if they believe a response is warranted;
(c) Shall not telephone key holders, alarm or monitoring services to determine if a key holder has been notified of the alarm; and
(d) Shall not attempt to verify alarm calls. This is the function of the alarm companies and monitoring services.
Thank you,
Alarm Co-ordinator
London Police Service
601 Dundas Street
London, ON
N6B 1X1
519-661-5670