Saskatchewan RCMP took over 350,000 calls for service in 2022 including misdials and false alarms to serious incidents.
That being said, prank calls and non-emergency phone calls are a misuse of 911 and can take up valuable time for call-takers and officers that could be helping someone in a life-threatening situation.
Below are the Saskatchewan RCMP's top-10 "missed the mark" calls from 2022:
10. Memory lane - A caller asked OCC Operators if they knew the name of the polite RCMP officer who had served in their community. The caller was hoping for an update to see how the officer’s family was doing. While well-meaning, this certainly would not be considered an emergency.
9. Hold please - 911 dispatchers received a call from someone who didn’t want to be on hold after being told they needed to pick up paperwork at their local RCMP detachment.
8. Bad luck - A caller advised OCC Operators they had swallowed a mosquito, choked and lost their dentures, leaving them unable to eat supper.
7. You rang? - An individual advised they needed assistance deleting a voicemail off their phone.
6. This is not a prank hotline - An individual called 911 to advise there was a cougar on the loose in their city. When the call-taker asked for details about the cougar, the caller laughed and said the cougar’s name was "Cindy." Before dialling 911, remember that calling the police should be reserved for police-related matters only and calling 911 should be reserved for life-threatening emergencies only.
5. Takeout troubles - A caller advised they purchased $65 worth of fast food only to find their roommate had eaten the order. The caller requested an RCMP officer come and sort out the disagreement.
4. Here kitty, kitty - A concerned individual called about a hostile cat and asked an RCMP officer to bring it to the local animal shelter for them.
3. Can we talk a-boot it? - A dispute at a clothing store resulted in a call to 911. A customer was very upset with the manager of the store who refused to accept the return of already-worn winter boots.
2. Got milk? - A caller advised they were out of milk and requested RCMP officers pick some up for them.
1. Scrub-a-dub-dub - A concerned individual called 911 to advise their bathtub drain was clogged and the water wouldn’t go down.
If there is a real emergency or you're in a life-threatening situation, call 911. Complaints can also be reported to your local RCMP detachment or by calling 310-RCMP.