When NOT to call 911

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 11, 2023     2:40 pm

(Ottawa) – To celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 10 to 15, we asked some of our 911 agents to share some of the more outrageous calls they’ve received while on duty.

“We want to emphasize to the public that we will always be there for you if you are in crisis and need help from police, when in doubt always give us a call,” said Communications Inspector Russell Lucas. “But we also ask residents to use common sense when making a call to 911.”

In 2021, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) handled 667,000 calls for service and the Service is starting to see an uptick in calls as the city returns to normalcy post-pandemic.

It’s an important reason why calls to 911 should be for emergencies only.

Here are some reasons why NOT to call 911:

• A person called 911 upset that her spouse wouldn’t keep to the agreed schedule of who gets to sleep alone in the master bedroom and wanted police to intervene.
• Another caller dialed 911 wanting the barista arrested for putting sugar in their coffee, they felt it was done maliciously.
• A 5-year-old called upset that her 3-year-old sister wasn’t learning how to potty train properly. When asked to go get her mommy or daddy, she replied that she wasn’t allowed to go outside because daddy was mowing the lawn.

“Our agents work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and are always there when you need us,” said Insp. Lucas. “We can help them do their jobs by only using 911 when it’s warranted.”

911 agents are often the first voice a person hears when they call police. They are skilled professionals whose calm and measured response ensures that they can quickly get you help when you need it the most. They are also a lifeline to our members who go out and respond to those calls for service.

This week, we wanted to take a moment to thank them for their service in helping to keep both our city and our members safe, each and every day.

For any emergency where you feel unsafe or to report a crime in progress, please dial 911 right away. For any other types of reports, you can call our Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 7300 or file a report online.

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Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366