When you receive a call and enter that call into the CAD system you will need to determine the CALL TYPE. Every agency has a different set of call types depending on what type of responders they use. For example some jurisdictions have boats that respond to water incidents, other have no water incidents. When using the 9-1-1 Reality Simulator for your lab practice you will have to select a CALL TYPE. When you are employed at your Comm Center you will learn the 'code' or name of the call type. A code may have a number or abbreviation such as BEI or a natioal code.

It is important to recognize there are levels of priority for each call type. A BURGLARY may be different than a burglary in progress or home invasion. See the list below a list of police call priorities. Fire and EMS have priorites and codes for call types as well.

Do you ever NOT dispatch? Here is a funny video put out by a 911 agency. However you do need to know how to treat these calls and what to do with them. Just remember the lady who called for a pizza, but she really was being held hostage. There are even calls where the victim cannot talk - never assume - sent or follow through.

PRIORITY 1: Emergency call which requires immediate response and there is reason to believe that an immediate threat to life exists.

PRIORITY 2: Emergency call which requires immediate response and there exists an immediate and substantial risk of major property loss or damage (Emergent but not life threatening. Fights, disturbances, collisions, felonies in progress)..

PRIORITY 3: Crimes in progress that require an immediate response but present no significant threat of serious physical injury or major property damage or any active incident or activity that could be classified as a possible crime or potential threat to life or property (delayed response from police 30-60min).

PRIORITY 4: Requests for police response which do not require an immediate response but there exists a likelihood that an officer's investigation will lead to the apprehension of a suspect based on suspect information or physical evidence (abandoned vehicles, animal complaints, misdemeanor reports).

PRIORITY 5: Request for service where the officer's primary function will be fact-finding, reporting, or rendering assistance (past crimes - non active crimes, civil complaints).

PRIORITY 6: Officer initiated activity from the field (Traffic stop, property check).

PRIORITY 7: Calls relayed to Public Works (Road maintenance, street sign damage, non-hazardous tree limbs down).

PRIORITY 8: Calls relayed to Traffic Enforcement Unit, Community Service Officers or Parking Control Officers (i.e. traffic complaints not in progress, found bicycles, abandoned vehicles, parking complaints or continuing neighborhood disputes that are not in progress).

Lesson Summary

When working at a Communication Center, entering calls into the CAD system requires determining the call type, which varies depending on the agency. Understanding the different levels of priority for each call type is crucial. Here is a breakdown of police call priorities:

• PRIORITY 1: Emergency call with an immediate threat to life.
• PRIORITY 2: Emergency call with immediate risk of major property loss or damage.
• PRIORITY 3: Crimes in progress that require immediate response but no significant physical threat.
• PRIORITY 4: Requests that do not need immediate response but could lead to suspect apprehension.
• PRIORITY 5: Requests for fact-finding, reporting, or assistance.
• PRIORITY 6: Officer-initiated activities.
• PRIORITY 7: Calls relayed to Public Works.
• PRIORITY 8: Calls relayed to Traffic Enforcement Unit, Community Service Officers, or Parking Control Officers for non-urgent matters.

Fire and EMS also have priorities and codes for different call types. Ensuring proper handling of calls is critical, as seen in scenarios like the famous pizza call that turned out to be a hostage situation. Always take every call seriously, especially those where the victim may not be able to speak.