Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
With 367,707 calls for service, Saskatchewan RCMP’s Divisional Operational Communications Centre (DOCC) had another busy year in 2024, taking calls ranging from 911 mis-dials and false alarms to serious incidents regarding matters of public safety.
“Our annual list is fun, but it’s important to realize that DOCC officers play a really important role during emergencies. We are the first voice someone hears when they reach out for help from police. We are there until emergency services arrive to help them. We dispatch police officers to calls and provide them assistance during them,” says Lee Rosin, Recruiter and Training Facilitator for DOCC. “It’s important that these lines remain open for those who reach out for help through 911 or 310-RCMP.”
Here are the top 10 calls that “missed the mark” in 2024:
10. Who are you? A concerned individual called 911 to advise that they didn’t recognize someone on their social media friend list.
9. Spick and span: A frustrated individual called to complain that their parents were forcing them to clean their room.
8. Stop stressing meowt: A caller advised that a fox was wandering the neighbourhood and scaring a local cat.
7. To bee or not to bee: 911 dispatchers received a call from a person saying that they had a problem with bees in their home.
6. Tech support: A concerned individual called 911 to ask for help unlocking their cell phone.
5. Litter bug: An individual called 911 to report that someone had thrown their ice cream on the ground.
4. Cut the cat-itude: A caller advised that their cat was being mean to them and they were hoping an officer would come and help with the situation.
3. Loads of fun: 911 dispatchers received a call from a person who was having trouble with their washing machine.
2. I’m counting on you: An individual called 911 asking for help on a math equation as they didn’t want to fail their test in the morning.
1. Party’s over: 911 dispatchers received a call from an individual saying that their tambourine was taken from a party they attended.
Please remember: whether you’re frustrated with your washing machine, trying to unlock your phone or suspicious of a fox – calling 911 must be reserved for emergencies and crimes in progress.
Saskatchewan RCMP would like to remind the public that there are ramifications for those who misuse 911. Not only is there a chance of preventing someone with a life-threatening emergency from getting help, there is also a summary offence charge under the Emergency 911 Systems Act with fines up to $2000.
—
RCMP 911 call-takers and dispatchers provide a critical service within the RCMP that supports both public and officer safety.
Join the Saskatchewan RCMP Operational Communication Centre and be a part of a team where you’ll make a difference each and every day.
For more information or to apply, visit: https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/telecommunications-operators-9-1-1-dispatcher
-30-
WATCH: Saskatchewan RCMP Operational Communication Centre call-takers, dispatchers, a Member Operations Support Services (MOSS) Officer and a registered psychiatric nurse share the top ten reasons not to call 911 that they heard in 2024 in a video shared on our official Saskatchewan RCMP social media channels.