In an emergency, such as a fall requiring medical attention or someone breaking into your home, prompt assistance is just a phone call away. 

While most people know to dial 911 in urgent situations, there’s often confusion about how to report non-emergency matters. Many requests to 911 do not involve true emergencies, which overloads the 911 system with non-emergency calls. 

EMERGENCY: DIAL 911

Dial 911 and the first words you’ll hear will be, “911, what’s the address of your emergency?” 

Dispatchers are trained to assist you swiftly and effectively, but first there is some information they need from you. 

They will ask for the location of the incident, descriptions of individuals or vehicles involved and other relevant details to ensure the appropriate response. 

If you don’t know the exact location, the dispatcher will ask questions to help describe to responders where the emergency is taking place. Please give an address, intersection, mile marker, or in the case of a wilderness area or park area, your location such as a trail or landmark.

For medical emergencies, dispatchers will ask about the patient’s condition in order to properly prepare paramedics. You’ll be asked questions about the patient’s age, awake and breathing status, and then a few questions about the patient’s symptoms. 

While you’re on the line, a dispatcher will simultaneously dispatch emergency services, ensuring no delay in response. If necessary, they will stay on the line and coach you through critical interventions like bleeding control or CPR until help arrives.

Only call 911 when a person or property is in immediate danger. Examples of when to call 911 include:

• A fire
• A crime, especially one in progress
• A car accident, especially if someone is injured
• A medical emergency, especially for symptoms that require immediate medical attention

NON-EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

For non-emergency police assistance, call the dispatch number: 719-390-5555.

• Scams
• Suspicious activity in your neighborhood
• Extra patrol request or vacation watch
• Littering
• Burglaries that have already occurred (not in progress)
• Vandalism
• Theft
• Abandoned vehicles
• Tampering
• Traffic complaint

WHEN TO REPORT ONLINE

El Paso County Sheriff's Office also provides an online reporting portal, allowing you to file a police report at your convenience. Reports are reviewed by an officer, and you can print a copy for free once completed. Depending on the nature of your report, an officer may follow up with you.

In order to report any of the below crimes through this system you must:

• Be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
• The incident must have occurred within El Paso County Colorado and outside any incorporated municipalities or townships and must have occured in the United States. Exact location verification is required in the report.
• You have no viable suspect or person information, and no viable suspect location.
• There is no physical evidence to the incident.

If your incident does not meet the online reporting criteria, please call dispatch at 719-390-5555 to file your report with an officer.