Emergencies happen when you least expect them and the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Divisional Operational Communications Centre (DOCC) is here for you 24/7, 365 days of the year.
It is reported in a recent release from the Saskatchewan RCMP that the DOCC received 350,667 calls for service, up 8.5% from 2020. Calls ranged from 911 mis-dials and false alarms to serious incidents regarding matters of public safety.
RCMP urge residents to be reminded that whether you’re a frustrated grandparent, a forgetful golfer or someone suspicious of a couple cats, 9-1-1 MUST be reserved for emergencies only.
Here are the top 10 calls that “missed the mark” in 2021:
- Helpdesk – A call was received from a concerned individual whose laptop had suddenly stopped working. The caller requested an RCMP officer attend to their home and fix it.
- Theft – 911 dispatchers received a call from a person wanting to report what was determined to be a romantic gesture - that their spouse had stolen their heart. (Remember: there are other ways to report non-urgent theft – though not of one’s heart – such as by calling your local police or RCMP directly or by using our Online Crime Reporting tool:
- Fishing in the dark – An angler had located a shopping cart in the water while out fishing and wanted an RCMP officer to return the cart to the store it came from.
- Not sleepy – A frustrated grandparent called 911 and complained that their not-so-sleepy grandchild was refusing to go to bed. The caller was hoping an RCMP officer could persuade the child to go to sleep.
- Just hear meowt – A 911 caller advised they seen some “suspicious activity” in the community. This caller was concerned about two cats that had been hanging around an intersection close to the caller’s home over the last few days.
- Lost and found – After a great day of golfing, a 911 caller realized that their cell phone had been left at the golf course and was requesting that an RCMP officer retrieve the cell phone for them.
- Hangry – A 911 call was received from an angry caller as they were having technical difficulties making their lunch purchase on a restaurant’s debit card machine.
- Gummy bear – One concerned puppy parent had called 911 looking for help from an RCMP officer as their dog had gotten into the caller’s edibles. (This one may constitute an emergency, just not for 911! If you suspect your pet has gotten into something dangerous to them, call your local vet or animal emergency medical centre.)
- Upgraded room – This caller wanted to share with 911 dispatchers that the RCMP had a much nicer detention area than that at their local police station.
- Time flies – A caller was wanting to know what day it was. (911 Dispatchers know how easy it is to lose track of time as they’re typically very busy answering calls for service; however, this certainly would not be considered an emergency.)
In the media release, RCMP remind the public that misuse of 911 can potentially delay someone experiencing a life-threatening emergency before getting help. Also, the public is reminded before dialing 9-1-1 that calling the police should be reserved for police-related matters only as well as reserved for life-threatening emergencies only.
