When you report something, dispatchers will have many questions. A few of the most important are:
- What is happening?
- Is anyone hurt?
- Is this happening NOW; did it happen a few minutes ago; is it delayed? Police response differs greatly, according to the time delay.
Listen to the questions being asked. There may be a lot of them, but the information you are giving is being put into a computer that sends it right to the dispatcher. There is very little delay between you telling us and it being given out.
If a suspect or vehicle is involved in the situation, you will be asked for descriptions. In an emergency situation, you may only get a few of the items below; when time allows, try for as many as you can.
- For persons:
  Race, sex, age, height, weight, hair color and style, eye color, complexion, physical marks (scars tatoos, deformities), and clothing description. Are any weapons involved?
- For Vehicles:
  Color, year, make/model, body style, and tag number.
When vehicle accidents are called in by city residents, try to provide the following information:
- the location (including whether it is in the road, in the parking lot, what business or complex it is in front of, if applicable).
- Is anyone hurt? If yes, how seriously? Is anyone trapped in the vehicle?
- Is there any spillage of gasoline, oil or chemical from the vehicle? This requires Fire Department response.
- Vehicle descriptions, especially if it is in a parking lot.