Hamilton Police Service offers a variety of online services, resources, and community programs to help residents access information, complete requests, report incidents, and connect with police services quickly and conveniently.

Whether you need to request records, report a crime, obtain fingerprints, register your bike, volunteer, or access other police services, this section will help guide you to the information and resources you need.

Paid duty officers are off-duty police officers assigned to provide policing-related services such as traffic control, security, escorts, and support for special events. 

Common paid duty assignments include:

  • Festivals and concerts
  • Sporting events
  • Weddings and private events
  • Film productions and special effects
  • Traffic direction and road races
  • Funeral and parade escorts
  • Mall, hotel, and business security
  • Pyrotechnic displays
  • Wide load escorts

For information about hosting events in Hamilton, visit the City of Hamilton Event Planning page. 

For filming inquiries and permits, visit the City of Hamilton Film Permit page.

What are the requirements for hiring a paid duty officer?

  • Events must take place within the City of Hamilton
  • Requests must be submitted:
    • at least 5 business days before the event
    • at least 10 business days before film special effects requests

Additional requirements:

  • A minimum 3-hour charge applies per officer
  • Partial hours are billed as full hours
  • Alcohol-related events require a minimum of two officers
  • A 24-hour cancellation policy applies
  • Late cancellations are subject to a minimum 3-hour charge per booked officer
  • A 30% administration fee plus HST applies to all bookings

Current Paid Duty Rates

Personnel Rates

(Effective October 12, 2025 — 3-hour minimum)

  • Police Constable – $85.81/hour
  • Sergeant – $99.54/hour
  • Staff Sergeant – $110.26/hour
  • Communications Personnel – $78.40/hour

Equipment Rates

(Effective December 22, 2024 — minimums may apply)

  • Cruiser – $35
  • Motorcycle – $35
  • Bicycle – $21 per assignment
  • Police Boat – $75

Rates are subject to change.

 

Click here to use the Paid Duty Cost Calculator 

 

How do I pay for a paid duty officer?

Payment is required before the event.

Accepted payment methods:

  • VISA
  • Mastercard

Payments and booking information must be completed through the online client portal.

For alternate payment arrangements, contact the Paid Duty Office.

To request a paid duty officer, please log in or create an account through the Hire a Paid Duty Officer portal. 

Registered charities may qualify for a discounted administration fee.

Organizations must provide a valid Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) charitable registration number when creating their client portal account.

If charitable status is obtained after account creation, please email:
paidduties@hamiltonpolice.ca

Paid Duty Office
905-546-4366

Special Events Office
905-546-4758

Monday to Friday
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

After-Hours Cancellations Only
905-546-4725 - Ask for the on-duty Staff Sergeant

Eligibility Requirements

You may apply if:

  • The non-conviction relates to charges laid by Hamilton Police Service
  • The matter was resolved by way of a non-conviction, including:
    • Withdrawn
    • Dismissed
    • Stayed
    • Acquitted / Found Not Guilty
    • Diversion
    • Absolute or Conditional Discharge
  • The required waiting period has passed:
    • Dismissed / Withdrawn – 30 days
    • Stayed – 1 year
    • Withdrawn / Dismissed with Peace Bond – upon completion of the bond
    • Absolute Discharge – 1 year
    • Conditional Discharge – 3 years
    • Withdrawn by Diversion – 2 years
    • Acquitted / Found Not Guilty – 30 days
  • You have no outstanding criminal charges before the courts
  • You have no criminal convictions anywhere else in Canada

If eligible, you may submit a Request for Criminal File Closure application along with a non-refundable fee of $39.00.

 

Please note that processing times may take up to one year due to RCMP processing timelines.

 

You may also request written notification once the file closure has been completed.

What Happens When a File Closure is Approved?

When approved:

  • The RCMP removes the Fingerprint Serial Number (FPS) from its national database
  • Hamilton Police Service destroys:
    • Fingerprint records
    • Booking photographs
    • Related Crown brief materials associated with the local criminal file

Please note that the original incident report is retained for 25 years in accordance with records retention requirements.

 

Charges resolved by an Absolute or Conditional Discharge after 1992, as well as eligible Diversion matters, may be automatically purged after the applicable retention period.

Applications may be submitted:

In Person
Records Branch 
155 King William Street
Hamilton, ON
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

By Mail
Include:

  • Completed application form
  • Two pieces of identification (one must include photo identification)
  • Certified cheque or money order for $39.00
  • Do not send cash by mail

 

Mail to:

Hamilton Police Service
Attn: Records Supervisor
155 King William Street
Hamilton, ON L8R 1A7

Please ensure your return mailing address is included on the application form.

The Hamilton Police Service Property and Evidence Branch is responsible for cataloguing, storing, and tracking property that comes into police custody, including items seized as evidence and recovered lost or stolen property.

The Property and Evidence Branch is located at Central Station and is open for walk-in service. Appointments may also be arranged as needed.

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

Contact Information

General inquiries: 905-546-4734

Firearms inquiries: 905-546-4733

You must contact the Property and Evidence Branch at 905-546-4734 to arrange the release of your property. For firearms, call 905-546-4733.

Property is released only to the lawful owner or an authorized designate. In many cases, notification will be sent by mail advising that property is available for pickup.

If your property was previously lost or stolen, filing a police report helps staff identify and match recovered items to their rightful owner.

Property held as evidence in a criminal investigation may not be eligible for release until authorized by the investigating officer.

Items seized as evidence cannot be released without written authorization from the officer in charge of the investigation.

Personal property belonging to individuals held in custody will generally be retained for 90 days. Owners or authorized designates are responsible for arranging pickup within that time.

Yes. An authorized designate may collect property on your behalf if arrangements have been made in advance with the Property and Evidence Branch.

The designate must provide acceptable identification and documentation authorizing them to act on your behalf.

Parents or legal guardians may collect property for minor children without written authorization.

You or your designate must provide two pieces of identification, including one government-issued photo ID showing:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Photograph

If someone is attending on your behalf, they must also provide written authorization or valid Power of Attorney documentation.

Please note that a Power of Medical Attorney is not sufficient for the release of property.

Property pickups take place at:

Hamilton Police Service – Central Station

155 King William Street

Hamilton, ON

 

Please contact the Property and Evidence Branch in advance to arrange pickup.

Found property is generally held for 90 days. Bicycles are held for 30 days.

If an owner is identified, a notification letter is sent, and the owner has 30 days to claim the property.

Unclaimed property may be:

  • Auctioned
  • Destroyed
  • Returned to the finder (in limited circumstances involving cash or jewellery)

Auctions are conducted through a third-party provider.

 

Click here to visit the online auction website.

Contact Hamilton Police Service immediately.

If the item is still available, police may request that the auctioneer remove it temporarily while ownership is verified.

Filing a lost or stolen property report greatly assists police in confirming ownership and recovering property.

Call 9-1-1 immediately if:

  • The situation involves an abduction, including parental abduction
  • There is an immediate danger to life
  • Someone is using or threatening violence 

For non-emergency situations, call 905-546-4925 or attend one of our police stations in person to make a report. 

You do not need to wait 24 hours to report a missing person. However, unless it is an emergency, please make reasonable efforts to locate the person before contacting police. These steps help ensure police resources are used where they are most urgently needed.

More Information

You can assist by:

  • Contacting friends, family, or close contacts 
  • Checking local hospitals or urgent care facilities
  • Searching the home or last known location 
  • Gathering basic details: full name, age, physical description, and clothing
  • Reviewing recent social media activity and communications

  • A recent photo of the person
  • Contact details of friends or relatives
  • Relevant social media or banking information
  • Medical information, including mental health
  • With a relative’s permission, police may also ask to search the person’s home.

In more serious cases, police may request a DNA sample (for example, from a toothbrush or hairbrush, or, in some cases, from a family member). For more information, visit:  https://rcmp.ca/en/missing-persons/about-national-missing-persons-dna-program

It is important to provide accurate information. Knowingly filing a false report is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada.  

Missing Persons Act, 2018, S.O. 2018, c. 3, Sched. 7

A person is a missing person for the purposes of this Act if both of the following circumstances exist with respect to the person:

1.  The person’s whereabouts are unknown and,

i.  the person has not been in contact with people who would likely be in contact with the person, or

ii.  it is reasonable in the circumstances to fear for the person’s safety because of the circumstances surrounding the person’s absence or because of any other prescribed considerations.

2.  A member of a police service is unable to locate the person after making reasonable efforts to do so

Hamilton Police Service provides fingerprinting and photo-related services for a variety of purposes, including employment, immigration, criminal investigations, and court proceedings.

No appointment is required; however, a referral from the investigating officer is necessary.

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All photos taken, processed, or printed by the Forensic Branch are provided directly to the courts as part of the court process.

Appointments are required and subject to technician availability.

To book an appointment:

Processing Fee:
$69.00

Fingerprinting services for charged persons are available seven days a week throughout the year.

Hours of Operation
10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Charged persons must report to:

Central Police Station
155 King William Street
Hamilton, ON

Please bring:

  • Your paperwork
  • Valid photo identification

Individuals may attend before their scheduled appointment date; however, failure to attend before the scheduled date and time may result in a Fail to Appear warrant being issued.

Photo file appointments are generally arranged by the investigating officer. In some cases, witnesses may be required to arrange their own appointment.

The following information is required when booking:

  • Report number
  • Event type
  • Witness name, address, and phone number
  • Officer’s name, badge number, and station

Appointments are one hour in length per suspect.

Appointment Times

  • 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

No appointments are available on weekends or evenings.

Firearms in Canada are regulated under the Firearms Act and Part III of the Criminal Code of Canada. The Canadian Firearms Program (CFP), administered by the RCMP, oversees firearms licensing, registration, transportation, storage requirements, and safety standards.

For general firearms information, visit:

For additional assistance:

  • Canadian Firearms Program: 1-800-731-4000
  • Hamilton Police Firearms Office: 905-546-4978

Anyone who owns or acquires a firearm in Canada must possess a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL).

PAL licences:

  • Replaced the former Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC)
  • Must be renewed every five years
  • Must match the class of firearm being possessed

If a person possesses a firearm outside the conditions listed on their licence, they may be in unlawful possession of a firearm.

All restricted and prohibited firearms must be registered in Canada.

  • Non-restricted firearms no longer require registration
  • Antique firearms do not require registration; however, proof may be required to verify antique status

Individuals under 18 years old cannot acquire or import firearms into Canada, including by gift. However, youth may use firearms in certain lawful circumstances under supervision and according to federal regulations.

Click here to learn more about firearms users under 18. 

Storage 

Non-Restricted Firearms

  • Must be unloaded
  • Secured with a trigger lock or locked in a secure cabinet, container, or room
  • Ammunition should be stored separately

Restricted and Prohibited Firearms

  • Must be unloaded
  • Secured with a trigger lock
  • Stored in a locked safe, vault, cabinet, or secure room
  • Ammunition should be stored separately

Antique Firearms

  • Must be unloaded during storage or transportation

Transporting Firearms

Non-Restricted Firearms

  • Must be unloaded

Restricted and Prohibited Firearms

  • Must be unloaded
  • Equipped with a secure locking device
  • Stored in a locked, non-transparent container
  • Authorization to Transport may be required

Firearms in Vehicles

When leaving firearms unattended in a vehicle:

  • Firearms must be locked in the trunk or another secure compartment
  • If no trunk is available, firearms must be out of sight and the vehicle locked

Click here for more information about firearm storage and transportation.

Executors or estate representatives may lawfully possess firearms belonging to a deceased person for a reasonable period while the estate is being settled, even if they do not personally hold a firearms licence.

Click here for more information on inherited firearms. 

To safely surrender a firearm, contact Hamilton Police Service at: 905-546-4925

An officer will attend the residence to collect the firearm.

Do not bring firearms directly to a police station.

Click here to view the Hamilton Firearms Discharge By-Law. 

Hamilton Police Firearms Office
905-546-4978

Canadian Firearms Program
1-800-731-4000
cfc-cafc@cfc-cafc.gc.ca
 

Approximately 600 bicycles are stolen in Hamilton each year, and many are never returned to their owners. Hamilton Police Service encourages cyclists to register their bikes through the online Bike Registry to help improve recovery and return rates.

Registering your bike is quick and easy — simply provide the serial number, make, and model. If your bike is recovered by police, registration helps officers identify and contact the rightful owner.

What You Can Do

  • Register your bike online
  • Record your bike’s serial number and details
  • Add a Hamilton Police bike registry sticker as a theft deterrent
    • Stickers are available at participating bike shops and police stations

If Your Bike Is Stolen

  • Report the theft to police immediately
  • Provide the bike serial number and identifying details
  • Ensure your bike is registered to assist with recovery efforts

Community Engagement or Paid Duty?

Hamilton Police Service offers two types of event support, depending on your needs.

Community Engagement Requests are for educational and community events, such as school presentations, safety seminars, or appearances by police officers, cruisers, or Coppy, and are provided at no cost, subject to availability. 

Paid Duty Officers are hired for events requiring traffic control, security, road closures, or other operational policing services and are booked for a fee.

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