Don't Hang Up! - RCMP - Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Comox Valley RCMP are reminding you to not hang up right away if you accidentally call 911.

In 2022, Comox RCMP responded to over 575 abandoned 911 calls.

When there is nobody on the other end of the line on a 911-call, police are required to confirm whether or not there is a real emergency. This means that dispatchers and frontline officers will investigate the call until they can determine nobody is in need of emergency assistance or get the required assistance on the way.

Whatever the case, these calls take up valuable time tying up resources that could be used for an actual emergency or delaying the response to someone in need.

Constable Monika Terragni says, “Intentionally misusing 911 is a criminal offence; however, in the case of a pocket dial or accidental misdial, this would not apply.

She continued, “Incoming 911-calls are all treated as emergencies, and they become more difficult and time consuming to investigate if nobody is there to speak with us.”

The Comox Valley RCMP would like to encourage residents to stay on the line to save some time if they have a 911 mishap.