Kingston Police Report Multiple 911 ‘Pocket Dials’ This Morning

Published on: 2011/08/17 - in Featured Science & Tech

Kingston City Police reported today that this morning between 7:00 am and 10:30 am, their Communications Centre received approximately 15 pocket dials.

A “pocket dial” is described as occurring when a phone number is inadvertently dialed on a cell phone, typically while in the person’s pocket but also while inside a backpacks, purse, etc.  Thousands of pocket dials are reportedly received by 9-1-1 Call Centres in Ontario every day.

When a 9-1-1 caller does not respond to Police Communications Centres, it is perceived as a possible sign of trouble that emergency responders cannot ignore.

Kingston Police request that if a person is aware of a pocket dial or other accident misdials to 911, they should remain on the line and let the emergency operator know it was accidental.  This will eliminate the need for the emergency operator to call you back to determine if there is a legitimate emergency, which will both save time and also enable the operator to move on to the next emergency call.

“Members of the public are urged to remember that each cell phone is different.  Take a moment to understand how an unnecessary 9-1-1 call can be avoided on your device.  It could be as simple as locking your keypad or putting the device in standby mode,” the department’s release states.

“Both of these options should not affect your ability to receive a phone call but may significantly reduce the chance of a pocket dial.  To further reduce the pocket dial, please do not program 9-1-1 into your phone and refrain from allowing small children to play with device”

Just two days earlier, Kingston City Police posted a tweet (originally by posted by the Toronto Police Communications Supervisor) on their Twitter account, linking to a video that shows you what to do if you accidentally dial 911.

A Youtube hosted copy of that video is embedded below.


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Photo by Johnathan Lyman