Plain-English guides to the most common non-emergency situations: who to call, what to have ready and what happens next. Each guide is written for people in the United States and links to the official sources it relies on.
If someone is in danger or a crime is happening right now, call 911.
How to File a Police Report Online
Only for minor incidents that are already over, with no known suspect and no injuries. You file it on the department’s own website — there is no national portal.
How to Find Out if Someone Is in Jail
Start with the county sheriff’s office inmate roster for the county where the arrest happened. Sheriffs run the county jails in most of the United States.
How to Report an Abandoned Vehicle on Your Street
Report it to 311, parking enforcement or the police non emergency number — never 911. On a public street, only the city can authorise a tow.
What Is 311 and When Should You Use It Instead of 911?
311 is the non emergency line for city services. 911 is for emergencies. Not every city has 311 — and there is no nationwide non emergency number.
How to Request a Police Welfare Check on Someone
Call the non emergency number of the police department that covers the address where the person is, and say you are requesting a welfare check.
Noise Complaints: Who to Call and What Actually Happens
Call the non emergency number of the department covering that address. If the noise is on unincorporated county land, call the sheriff’s office instead.
Police Department vs Sheriff’s Office: Who Covers Your Address?
A police department serves a city. A sheriff’s office serves the county, covers unincorporated areas and usually runs the county jail.
How to Report a Missing Person (There Is No 24 Hour Rule)
Report it immediately. There is no 24 hour waiting period anywhere in the United States — that rule does not exist.
How to Get a Copy of a Police Report
Request it from the records division of the agency that wrote it. Not the courts, not another department — the one whose officers attended.
When to Call 911 vs the Non Emergency Police Number
Call 911 if anyone is in danger or it is happening now. Otherwise the non emergency number is the right call — and it keeps 911 free.
Looking for a phone number?
Find the non-emergency police number for your city or county.