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Emergency 911
The City of Miami Police Department Emergency 9-1-1 system was implemented to provide the most efficient help to the citizens of Miami. The Department receives over 500,000 emergency 9-1-1 calls a year, with a large percentage of those calls not being serious emergencies.

WHEN TO DIAL 9-1-1
9-1-1 should be used when immediate law enforcement, fire rescue and/or medical assistance is needed to protect life or property.  Determine beforehand if you call is of an emergency or non-emergency nature.

WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN EMERGENCY?
  • When life or property are in danger (such as someone being beaten or robbed, etc..)
  • When there is a crime in progress (such as a burglary in progress, etc...)
  • When fire rescue is needed (such as someone having a heart attack, etc...)
HOW 9-1-1 WORKS
When you dial 9-1-1, your first contact with the City of Miami Police Department is with a designated "screener."  This operator is responsible for determining if your call is a potentially life-threatening emergency, a high-priority emergency or a non-emergency request for police services.  If the "screener" determines that you do not have a potentially life-threatening emergency, your call will be transferred to another operator who will then assist you.

If you have an emergency, it is important that you remain calm and that you are prepared to answer multiple questions that are necessary for the operator to gather the critical information regarding the emergency.  These questions will include the "who, what, where, when and why" of the situation.  They are extremely important in order to determine the condition of any victims and to maintain the safety of the police officers resonding to the scene of the incident.  Additionally, the information may help apprehend any suspects associated with the crime (if a criminal act is involved).

When you dial 9-1-1, it is important that you remain on the line, even if you dialed 9-1-1 by mistake.  In cases where the phone is "hung up" and contact is not iniitated on a 9-1-1- call, the operator will call back to the phone number initiating the call and attempt to contact the caller.  If contact is not completed, a police officer is dispatched to the address to investigate the situation.

WHAT DO I DIAL IN A NON-EMERGENCY SITUATION?
In a non-emergency situation where police support is requested, dial (305) 579-6111.

WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A NON-EMERGENCY?
  • Loud music.
  • Incessant barking dogs.
  • Reporting a burglary that occurred several days earlier.
FINAL NOTE
Remember, be patient and responsive. When you do not have an emergency, but need police response, call the non-emergency line (305) 579-6111, in order to receive the best possible service. 

When you do dial 9-1-1, remain on the line until the operator responds, even if you dialed by mistake.

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