What to tell us

Give us details, answer our questions and don't hang up.

Don't hang up

  • If we don't answer right away.
    • Let the phone continue to ring until we answer.
  • If you call 911 by accident.
    • If you hang up, we have to call you back. This happens about 200 times a day and uses valuable time and resources.
    • When we answer, tell us you called by accident.
  • When you are talking to us.
    • Don't hang up until we end the call.
    • Help may be on the way while we are talking to you.
  • If it's not safe for you to call, text 911.

Give details, answer questions, stay on the line

  • Give us the details of your location, including:
    • Street address
    • Type of building
    • Intersections and landmarks
    • Specific room, apartment, floor where the incident happens
    • Anything that will help us find you
    • We can't get these details by tracking your cell or building phone
  • Tell us what's happening.
  • Describe suspects and their vehicles
  • Answer our questions.
  • Don't hang up. We can send help while we talk to you.
  • Tell us if you want to speak to the officer or responder.

Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)

If you call for medical help, we may transfer you to the EMD.

  • We will ask you some basic questions before transferring you.
  • An EMD can provide guidance until our Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) arrive.

TTY and translation services

  • If you are a TTY user, press any key after dialing 911. We treat every "silent" call as a potential TTY call.
  • If you need a translator, tell the operator the language you need. We'll get an interpreter on the line.

Reporting problems with the call

  • You can ask to speak to an on-duty supervisor if you have a bad experience with the operator.

Contact us

911 Department

If you need Police, Fire, Medical or BCR to respond to your location, call 911.

For non-emergency crime reports or prior incidents that do not require a police response, call 311.

If you are outside of Minneapolis city limits, but need an immediate Minneapolis Police response, call 612-348-2345

Jenn Geiselhart

Community Outreach Supervisor

911 Department