911 General Public Information

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MOUNT PLEASANT / TITUS COUNTY 911 System

911 INFORMATION 
If you need POLICE, FIRE, or AMBULANCE ASSISTANCE, you need to immediately DIAL 911 

 What happens when you call 911? 

  • Our 911 operators enter the information you give into a computer 
  • Our computer-aided dispatch system assigns a priority to the call based on the type of call (burglary, shooting, etc.). Additional information you give can affect the priority. More information about call priority is at the bottom of this page 
  • A Communications Officer radios the information to units responding to the call 
  • Additional information from you is sent to officers either by radio or computer. Details are vital, so remain calm and speak clearly 

Tips For Calling 911: 

  • Stay calm. Speak clearly. Emergency units (police, fire or ambulance) rely on the information you give to get to you as soon as possible and to be able to help you 
  • Give your address and phone number. Many 911 systems automatically display your address when you dial 911, but most cellular phones do not. Your address is vital information and address verification is crucial. We cannot help you if we don’t know where you are. 
  • Quickly and briefly describe your problem. As soon as we know what you need, we will know who (police, ambulance, or fire) to send to help you. Get to the point as soon as possible. We may have to transfer your call to get you the services you need
  • Describe yourself. Tell the 911 Call Taker where you are and what you look like, including what you are wearing. We want officers who are arriving on the scene to know who they can contact and that you are not the suspect. 
  • Listen to the 911 Call Taker. Answer their questions and follow any instructions. Remain on the line until the 911 Call Taker says it is okay for you to hang up. 
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Remember: Answering questions does NOT delay the dispatch of assistance. A dispatcher is sending help your way while the Call Taker takes additional information from you. The more pertinent information you give us, the safer everyone will be.

About 911 hang-ups: Our policy is to respond to ALL 911 hang up calls. If you accidentally call 911 or change your mind about needing assistance, stay on the line and explain that to the 911 Call Taker. Otherwise, an officer will be dispatched to your location to ensure that you are safe. Playing on the phone puts those who do need immediate help in danger and puts you in danger of being prosecuted for making a false report. 

Why prioritize calls? 

We answer hundreds of calls each day – everything from found property to attempted murder. Obviously, the police department must respond more quickly when a life is in danger than when only property is threatened. We have limited resources and must work numerous calls simultaneously; prioritization helps us effectively and efficiently use those resources. We make every effort to provide the highest level of service on every call. 

How are common calls prioritized? 

All fire and EMS calls are dispatched immediately. Our goal is to dispatch all fire and EMS calls within 30 seconds. Police calls, however are handled differently. The table below shows the priority and criteria set by the police department for police calls. These factors are not rigid categories but guidelines used when determining the priority of police calls. Some of the most common calls are listed as examples. The time limits listed in the Dispatch Method are our goals. Calls may actually hold longer, depending on the availability of officers and caller cooperation when providing information.

Classification 
Factors 
Dispatch Method 
Examples 

Priority 1
EMERGENCY
 Immediate, emergency police response
 (lights and sirens)

◊ Immediate threat to life

◊ Violent criminal act in progress

◊ Violent incident just occurred and there is a likelihood of suspect apprehension

Units sent immediately

◊ Armed robbery

◊ Stabbing

◊ Sexual assault in progress

◊ Shooting




PRIORITY 1
Immediate police response 

◊ Criminal offense just occurred


◊ Suspects are still in the area or just left the scene


◊ Potential violence or imminent danger


◊ Non-violent criminal offense in progress with suspects still on scene (example: someone vandalizing property, kids throwing rocks at cars)


◊ Citizen’s arrest with suspect resisting (ex: shoplifter in custody causing problems) 









Units sent immediately, if available. If no units are available in that beat, the dispatcher determines the closest available unit and sends that unit to the call

◊ Domestic disturbance


◊ Physical altercation


◊ Accident with injuries


◊ Gunshots fired


◊ Report of sexual assault (suspect gone)


◊ Hold-up or panic alarm


◊ Robbery (suspects gone or no weapon used)







PRIORITY 2
Reasonable police field response

◊ No offense is in progress


◊ A delay in police response is not likely to result in a criminal offense


◊ A delay is not likely to result in further injury, loss of property, or adversely affect investigation


◊ No reason to believe suspect is on scene or in area


◊ Citizen’s arrest with suspect not resisting





The goal is to send the beat officer so he/she is aware of crimes in his/her area. If beat officer is not available, dispatcher may hold the call for up to 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, dispatcher will send an officer from another beat

◊ 911 hang ups


◊ Shoplifter in custody/not resisting


◊ Commercial or residential alarm


◊ Runaway or missing person report


◊ Suspicious person






PRIORITY 3
 AS AVAILABLE
 As-available basis by the beat officer

◊ A delay is not likely to adversely affect investigation


◊ No change in physical evidence expected


◊ Suspect description unknown



◊ Suspect not near


◊ Complainant is requesting contact 






The goal is to send the beat officer. Dispatcher may hold the call for up to one hour, but will dispatch an officer from another beat if the beat officer is still unavailable after one hour

◊ Loud Music


 ◊ Residential or commercial burglary report (suspect gone)

 
◊ Assault report-Suspect not on at scene (non-family violence)


◊ Other reports where suspect is not on scene 




PRIORITY 4
 WHEN AVAILABLE
Beat officer on a when- available basis

◊ No complainant is waiting


◊ Delayed investigation or report



◊ Follow-up incident




The goal is to send the beat officer. Dispatcher may hold the call for up to two hours, but will dispatch an officer from another beat if the beat officer is still unavailable after two hours

◊ Found or abandoned property


◊ Lost property



◊ Abandoned vehicle (not in roadway)