|
 |
How to Report a Crime
| Last Updated : 2004-08-01 11:25:55 (3015 read)
[Printer friendly page | Send to a friend]
When faced with the responsibility of reporting a crime, or another urgent matter to police, callers need to remember some basic concepts when they pick up the phone to notify police of an emergency.  Callers can help to save lives, and expedite response time, by speaking slowly and clearly. Be prepared to provide the information needed to determine and coordinate an effective response to your emergency.
Remember, all calls for help are routed to the Hillsdale Police Department. From fires to medical cases, the HPD dispatches the responding units. If you are calling the non-emergency line and have a non-emergency request for the police, tell the call-taker that this is a non-emergency, and then make your request. From Fire Engines to Paramedics, the HPD needs the relevant information at the beginning of a phone call to best provide a response to your emergency. Below is a helpful outline to instill what a caller should have in mind when talking to a police operator: Firstly, is the incident that you will report an emergency situation or a non-emergency ? - An emergency situation is an incident that requires the immediate attention of Police, Fire, and/or E.M.S. personnel. The appropriate way to alert police to this type of emergency is by dialing 9-1-1. Emergencies such as these usually involve some risk to life or property. Classic examples of 9-1-1 emergencies include: Fires; Medical Assistance (a heartattack, stroke, respiratory distress, a severe injury, trauma, etc.); car accidents with injuries; burglaries; robberies; assaults; and thefts. In sum, any incident that is 'in progress' or jepoardizes life or property. For more information, visit 9-1-1 Emergency
- A non-emergency situation is a minor incident that does not threaten life or property; or is not 'in progress'. Classic examples of a non-emergency include: Noise Compaints; Parking Complaints; Minor Car Accidents where no one is injured; and other matters that require police attention, but do not qualify as a life/property threatening emergency. For more information, visit Non-Emergencies
If there is an emergency, then there are several key details that always need to be given to the call-taker at the beginning of the call.
Tell the call-taker your emergency and be specific in detail ... - medical calls: the patient's age, their symptoms, and level of consciousness.
- fire calls: smoke condition? flames? are people trapped? could it be a false alarm?
- crimes in progress: description of the offender(s) -- race, height/weight, clothing worn -- weapons involved? getaway car, direction of flight?
Confirm your location for the call-taker and be as exact as possible ... - if calling from a cellular phone, or some unconventional address/location, use landmarks, cross streets, or mile-markers to describe where you are. Always include the apartment number, floor or level, and any other special instructions to reach your location, or the location of the emergency.
- Stay on the line, until the call-taker tells you to hang up.
 Whether calling 9-1-1 or Hillsdale PD's non-emergency line, always provide the relevant information first. As a courtesy, tell the call-taker that you have a non-emergency if that is the case. If 9-1-1 is dailed in error, stay on the line, and explain your mistake to the call-taker. If you are not sure if you have an emergency or a non-emergency, dial 9-1-1 and provide the details to the call-taker. They can decide if you need an emergency response or not.
Finally, remember that reporting a crime is a part of the police response ! When someone calls the police, the response begins with the information that they provide to the dispatcher. By giving the call-taker clear, timely, and accurate descriptions of the incident, the people involved, and the seriousness of the circumstances, an effective and coordinated Police, Fire, and E.M.S. response is achieved.
That can mean seconds to those victims who need it, and trouble for the
criminals attempting to escape. By reporting incidents as they happen to the Hillsdale Police Department, the community
becomes a safer place: SEE IT, HEAR IT, REPORT IT | | [Printer friendly page] |
| |
|
