Our Board is currently reviewing our pay duty and special event policing policy. We are seeing increasing financial pressure on community event organizers as policing costs continue to rise.

At present, community special events are charged the full pay duty rate. For larger events, the required complement of sergeants, constables, and vehicles, determined through a security assessment conducted by our District Commanders, can result in five figure costs. In several cases, these costs are approaching or exceeding the total operating budgets of the events themselves, leading to cancellations or significant scaling back.

We are seeking to better understand how other Boards, Commissions, and Services are addressing this issue, particularly in balancing public safety requirements with community sustainability.

I would greatly appreciate your insight on the following:

1. Cost Recovery Model
   Do you charge full cost recovery for community events, partially subsidize costs, or absorb them entirely within your operating budget?
   If subsidized, what criteria determine eligibility?

2. Use of Licensed Security
   Do you permit the augmentation of sworn officers with licensed private security personnel?
   If so, under what supervision model and with what limitations?

3. Security Assessments
   Do you require formal security assessments for community events?
   Are there standardized ratios, matrices, or risk based formulas used to determine staffing levels?

4. Policy Framework
   Has your Board adopted a specific policy or guiding principles that differentiate between commercial events and community or charitable events?

5. Documentation
   If possible, would you be willing to share relevant policy documents, assessment tools, or application forms?

Any additional perspectives on best practices, unintended consequences, or creative approaches would be very helpful.

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Thanks
Jeff Knoll
Chair
Halton (Ontario) PSB