May Likes Toronto2d ago

Here's a nice little walkthrough for when you should call the cops:

Severe Injury/medical emergency -> No, you should call an ambulance.

Car Crash -> Fire department and ambulance

Mental Health Crisis -> Community healthcare network. 211 in most communities, or find a local community group dedicated to that care

Fender Bender -> Get yourself to a collision centre. They don't give a shit.

Crimes -> You can try the non-emergency line, but they're not gonna show up or even call back. Enjoy being on hold for 3 hours.

Someone who's an active danger to the public -> That is the cop.

There's no reason to call the cops, or for them to exist in the first place.

Show threadCarolyn2d ago

@mayintoronto Folk call 911 in most of those situations and the operator determines who gets sent.

Often times with health emergencies, fire department and ambulance are deployed, with fire truck responding the quickest. At least in my experience.

I do think the 911 operators need to be better educated with regards to alerting cops, as most folk facing an emergency know 911.

Show threadMay Likes Toronto2d ago
@CStamp There's a massive education campaign in Toronto right now getting people to call 211 for mental health and social supports instead of 911. It's been really nice to see those posters.
Show threadMay Likes Toronto2d ago
@CStamp but also if you call 911, they ask you if you need fire, ambulance or police first. (idk if that's changed recently, but I've had that a couple times calling for an ambulance.)
Show threaderin
@mayintoronto in Ottawa they ask that question first, yes. Then transfer you. Could be different with different 911 locations though. Not sure. @CStamp
Mar 26 at 2:32amWeb
Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UK2d ago

@erin @mayintoronto @CStamp

this is also how 999 / 112 operates in UK (call handler is initially from British Telecom rather than an emergency service control room) - although it is not uncommon for the Police to arrive with Ambulance even if only the Ambulance has been requested if paramedics suggest someone has taken illegal drugs, and paramedics can hail the Police from their new digital radios (all blue light services are on the same network).

Some Police units do also have medical training and equipment, and might turn up if they are nearest to the incident (although this tends to only happen for road traffic collisions and injuries caused by violence)

Show threadMay Likes Toronto2d ago

@vfrmedia Toronto cops have stopped coming along to mental health calls. 78% of emergency mental health calls last year were sent to the mental health responses teams instead of having cops around.

Funding for the teams are still up in the air, but it seems to be working well enough that the chief of police (who's a very shitty cop) publicly supports this.

@erin @CStamp

Show threadCharles A-M2d ago
@erin @mayintoronto @CStamp also in Ottawa parking enforcement is done by bylaw officers, who aren't part of the police service. One calls 3-1-1 to summon them.