Saskatchewan RCMP 911 dispatchers and call takers provide an essential service across the province by providing support for the public and officers. 

With countless calls coming in every day, it is critical that individuals answering the calls spend their time effectively. 

In the last year, Saskatchewan RCMP 911 received 352,854 calls for service, ranging from misdials and false alarms to serious incidents regarding matters of public safety. 

Lee Rosin, Recruiter and Training Facilitator for the Saskatchewan RCMP Operational Communication Centre said in a press release that each false call takes time away from a potentially dire situation. 

“We release the list to raise awareness about the misuse of 911, which can possibly delay someone experiencing a life-threatening emergency from getting help.” she elaborated. “Every moment that we are spending speaking with someone who is complaining about their shopping experience or wanting to prank call 911, is time that call-takers and officers could have been helping someone in a life-threatening situation.” 

These are the top ten examples of 911 call that missed the mark in 2022: 

10. A caller asked 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. Although the caller had good intentions, this is not considered an emergency. 

9. Dispatchers received a call from a person who didn’t want to be on hold after being told they needed to pick up paperwork at their local RCMP detachment. 

8. A caller advised OCC Operators they had swallowed a mosquito, choked and lost their dentures, leaving them unable to eat supper. 

7. An individual advised they needed assistance deleting a voicemail off their phone. 

6. 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.”  

5. A caller advised that they purchased $65 worth of fast food only to find their roommate ate the order. The caller requested an RCMP officer come and sort out the disagreement. 

4. A concerned individual called about a hostile cat and asked an RCMP officer to bring it to the local animal shelter for them. 

3. 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. A caller advised that they were out of milk and requested RCMP officers pick some up for them. 

1. A concerned individual called 911 to advise that their bathtub drain was clogged, and the water wouldn’t go down.