Show All Answers

1. When does someone call 911?

911 is the phone number to dial whenever police, fire or ambulance services are needed for an emergency.

Police Dispatch Center

When you dial 911, your address and phone number (minus extension number) will show up on a monitor in the police dispatch center. The police dispatcher will also transfer your call to the fire department or paramedics, if required.

Crimes in Progress & Personal Danger

For Crimes in Progress or If Your Life is in Danger, immediately call 911.

Suspicious Circumstances & Other Crimes

For suspicious circumstances or crimes that occurred when you were not present and the suspects are already gone, please call 714-573-3225.

File a Police Report

If you wish to file a Police Report, you can call the Tustin Police Department at 714-573-3225 or file the report in person at the Police Department front desk. The front desk hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m, Monday through Saturday. The front desk is closed on Sundays and city holidays. The Tustin Police Department is located at:
300 Centennial Way
Tustin, CA 92780

Important Note

Loud music complaints, parking complaints, barking dog complaints, etc, should not be called in on 911.

2. What will the dispatcher ask you when you call 911?

When you call the Tustin Police Department and request a police officer, you will be asked a series of questions by a police dispatcher. These questions are designed to insure a more effective response. Try to remain calm and answer the questions as best you can. Some of the questions you might be asked are the following:

• What are you calling to report: a crime, traffic accident, suspicious activity?
• What is the location?
• Exact address, including street number and/or apartment number.
• When did this occur?
• What is your name?
• What telephone number are you calling from?
• Are there any suspicious persons and how many?
• What is their description? (The subject(s) race, sex, clothing, hair color, facial hair, eyeglasses, approximate height and weight, etc.)
• Do they have a weapon? What kind? (Rifle, gun, knife, etc.)
• Do they have a vehicle? (Make, model, color and license plate)
• If they left, what direction did they go?
• Do you want the police to contact you?

Important Note

Remember, that although it seems like a lot of questions, an officer is being sent to your address while you are talking to the Dispatcher. Try to remain calm and do not hang up until the Police have arrived, or you have been instructed to do so by the Dispatcher. Wait for the Police.

3. What if I dial 911 by mistake?

If you dial 911 by mistake, do not hang up! Before you hang up, be sure to tell the dispatcher you have dialed 911 by mistake, and you do not need emergency help. This is particularly important if you dial from a business phone with several phone lines.

911 Hang-Ups

Anytime the police dispatcher receives a 911 "hang-up," the caller must be contacted to be sure no actual emergency exists. If your business has dozens or even hundreds of phone lines, it may be impossible for the dispatcher to determine who, if any one needs help and an officer must then be dispatched to the address.

4. What if I don't speak English?

911 allows emergency calls to be transferred to an interpreter who can interpret other languages. Interpretation is accessible from every telephone; home and business phones, coin-operated and phones equipped with Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (T.D.D.'s).