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.

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.

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.

PRIORITY 5: Request for service where the officer's primary function will be fact-finding, reporting, or rendering assistance.

PRIORITY 6: Officer initiated activity from the field.

PRIORITY 7: Calls relayed to Public Works.

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).