There’s a long list of reasons why someone may call the cops on you. Some reasons may be valid, and others not so much.
Besides, your local police force has a step-by-step process to handle any kind of distress call.
From the moment 911 operators receive the cal,l they can only go off of the information they’ve received. When the officers arrive at the scene, they can investigate.
For this article, I will provide insight into what happens if someone calls the police on you.
How Does an Officer Respond to a 911 Call?
As a civilian, you can expect a few routine interactions if you call the cops.
Dispatch relays the details from the 911 call to the officers. The officers are mentally prepared to handle those specific details.
Even if someone made wild and untrue accusations, the police will show up ready to handle the scenario.
Different departments and jurisdictions may have their own protocols in response to an emergency. But the intended outcome is still the same.
Regardless of the nature of the call, police will immediately scan the area upon arrival.
They might ask anyone involved if there are any weapons.
At the same time, it’s common for officers to get identification from those involved in the disturbance. They will run immediate background checks on each of them.
Here are some of the most common warrants that they look for:
- Orders for protection
- Domestic abuse
- Restraining orders
- Any previous crimes
- And more in some cases
Considering that police officers prepare for any and all situations, they generally arrive on the scene ready to do just that.
Make sure your hands and face are clearly visible, as the officers need to identify possible threats. And they need to secure everyone’s safety first.
Once that’s handled, they’ll deescalate the situation and gather information.
For the sake of protocol and the safety of the general public and other officers, they may sometimes handcuff the person in question. This is until they get a better picture and understanding of the situation.
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When You Can Expect a Ticket or an Arrest
For starters, it’s clearly understood by the general public that if you break the law, it could lead to an arrest.
Then again, many specifics come with these laws and may not always warrant an arrest.
For instance, if you’re driving ten miles per hour over the speed limit, a cop may follow and pull you over.
But you’ll more than likely only get a ticket.
From another perspective, if you’ve been drinking a bit and driving thirty miles per hour over the limit:
Then that may lead to an arrest with potentially more than one charge.
As stated before, police officers work off the law and their discernment of the situation at hand.
Sometimes the right decision is more evident than not, which is part of what makes the job so difficult.
If someone calls the police on you, and you know you haven’t done anything wrong:
It’s best to have some kind of evidence of this or prepare to explain yourself thoroughly.
The police are used to arriving at many “he said she said” situations.
Even if you know you’re in the right, they can’t just take your side right then and there.
How Police Are Equipped to Handle Various Disturbances
If someone decides to call the cops on you, the accusations can get out of hand fairly quickly.
This depends on what you did that caused them to take action.
This situation can escalate in many scenarios as there can be plenty of confusion between all parties involved.
The police’s acting is based on the call they received.
If it sounds violent or dangerous, police may arrive with their hand on their firearm or entirely drawn based on the perceived threat.
Remember that the police are equipped with many different tools.
Such as handcuffs, pepper spray, tasers, and firearms.
Luckily, they are also “equipped” with numerous police officer skills that help officers handle the situation correctly.
To avoid anything from happening, it’s best to answer the immediate questions. And DON’T make any threatening action toward the officers.
A K-9 unit can be present as well based on the call.
Dogs are handy for chasing suspects on the run and investigating areas with their keen sense of smell.
Although they have many tools to handle different situations, the police are also trained to deescalate the them.
That can be the safest and fastest way to a conclusion.
As far as charges are concerned, police officers themselves aren’t the ones who decide what your charge is if you get arrested.
It’s important to understand that your interactions with the police can affect the outcome of the charge you receive.
But the prosecutor will have the final say on your charge and whether it resides at a state or federal level.
What Are Some Differences Between Public and Domestic 911 Calls?
There are also differences in the protocol for a 911 call to a public area or a private house.
Police have to approach these scenarios differently, and private house calls can be pretty tricky.
Let’s say the police are called about some kind of domestic disturbance. Loud music or a verbal or physical fight.
Once the police arrive, they try to become aware of the home’s situation from the outside.
After that, the police proceed to the door with caution.
This is vital as they don’t know if there are any weapons inside or how many people live in the building.
There are many risks associated with responding to domestic 911 calls.
The police may ask to come inside to get a better look at the situation.
If you want to learn more about how cops handle different calls, you should consider signing up for a police ride-along.
To Conclude
If someone calls the police on you, it’s best to be prepared for anything.
It’s best to explain yourself clearly to help deescalate the situation.
And you should NEVER put yourself in a position to be considered a threat.
Police are trained to handle a long list of scenarios.
But their job comes with surprises on a daily basis.
You can always expect the police to be thorough when responding to a 911 call.
