Ottawa Police Department

Communications Division

Understanding 9-1-1

The following guidelines should be followed when calling for assistance or reporting an incident in the City of Ottawa:

1. When to dial 9-1-1?

   You should 9-1-1 to report any incident that requires immediate dispatch of police, fire, or an ambulance.

   1. Medical emergency

   2. Fire

   3. Motor vehicle accidents involving injuries or lane blockage

   4. To report incidents of domestic violence, fights, rape, assault, robbery, disturbances, shootings, stabbing, all crimes in progress or just occurred

   5. To report road hazards, drunk drivers or reckless drivers, tornado’s

   If you are unsure if your situation is an emergency, call 9-1-1

2. When to dial the non-emergency number, 815-433-2131

You may call the non-emergency phone number 815-433-2131 to report non-urgent incidents that require a police response such as lost property, noise complaints, non-violent animal complaints, minor motor vehicle accidents, etc.  This number should also be used to call administrative personnel, the detectives, or to request a copy of a police or accident report.  The same telecommunications that answer the 9-1-1 emergency calls also answer the non-emergency calls so please be patient, 9-1-1 calls will be answered first then the non-emergency calls.