How to Know When to Call the Police

Knowing when to call the police can help save your own or another person's life. It is important for the public to understand that dialing 911 is reserved for people experiencing emergency situations. "Emergency situations" are life-threatening or serious occurrences that necessitate the aid of a police officer, fire fighter or medical personnel. Children and adults should both be able to discern the severity of an emergency situation and know when it is necessary to call for professional help.

Instructions

• 1

  Call the police if you or another person needs an ambulance and emergency medical assistance. Emergency medical assistance is needed for people who are injured, such as in a car crash or who have a serious medical condition. A person who is unconscious or unresponsive, uncontrollably bleeding, having difficulty breathing or suffering from chest pains needs an immediate medical response.

• 2

  Phone the police if you witnessed a crime, or if you are witnessing a crime in progress. Police officers will be dispatched to the scene of the crime.

• 3

  Call 911 if there is a fire, such as a house or building fire, and you need the fire department's immediate assistance.

• 4

  Contact the police if you notice suspicious behavior, such as seeing a stranger sneaking into your neighbor's house when he is absent or if a person, especially a woman or a child, is being forced into a vehicle by another person.

• 5

  Call 911 if you hear suspicious sounds. Examples include breaking glass, explosions, gunshots or screams, which can indicate an accident or a crime occurring.

• 6

  Phone the police if you are unsure whether you are facing an emergency situation. The 911 operator will determine if your call necessitates emergency assistance.