This brief guide presents management techniques for use by law enforcement agencies in reducing calls for service resulting from false alarms.
In many communities, calls for service resulting from false burglar alarms continue to be a significant issue for law enforcement agencies. These service calls place often place a significant burden on agency budgets and personnel, especially at a time when many agencies are struggling to provide critical services with fewer resources. This brief guide was developed by the International Association of Chief of Police (IACP) to assist local law enforcement agencies in establishing better alarm management practices. The document outlines the key issues, response options, and research studies that can aid in the development of an alarm management strategy. The key issues highlighted are officer and citizen safety, community expectations, and resources. The response options include local ordinances, registration of alarm systems, enhanced call verification, verified responses, user education classes, fines for owners, fines for alarm companies, and ceasing response. The document also includes a list of IACP resources, and a suggested reading list for additional information. 1 figure