How to Make a Crime Report

Filing a crime report with the proper authorities is the first step in documenting a crime

Several methods of crime reporting are available in most U.S. cities. For emergency situations and crimes in progress, dial 911 and follow the guidance provided. When a police officer is not required, call the non-emergency police number or file an online report. For citizens without access to phone or computer, go to the nearest police station or sub-station and file a written crime report with the desk officer. In all cases, filing the report is the essential first step in documenting a crime, and critical to any follow-up investigation.

Things You'll Need

• Access to phone or computer with Internet

Instructions

Emergency Situations

1. Call 911 immediately for crimes in progress or any situation requiring immediate medical or fire response, to report serious suspicious activity or violence against an individual or if immediate police presence is required to gather evidence, preserve a crime scene or prevent an imminent crime from occurring.

2. Stay on the scene after calling 911 until first responders arrive, unless you are in immediate danger.

3. Follow up to get a copy of the filed crime report if you are the victim of the reported crime. This is necessary for follow-on investigations and for insurance claims.

Non-Emergency Situations

1. Call the local police non-emergency number to report crimes occurring longer ago than half an hour, those involving loss of small amounts of money or personal property, or others not requiring police presence. Alternatively, use your community's online crime reporting system to report non-emergency crimes.

2. Go to the nearest police station or sub-station and tell the desk officer you need to report a crime. Depending on the nature of the crime, you will be asked to fill out a written report or speak with an officer.

3. Provide as much detail as possible about the crime, along with complete contact information so police may follow up with you as needed.

4. Follow up to get a copy of the filed crime report if you are the victim of the reported crime. This is necessary for follow-on investigations and for insurance claims.

Tips & Warnings

• Whether you are the victim of a crime or a witness, promptly and properly reporting the crime is critical to the success of any follow-on investigation.

• For any crime report you have filed, follow up with the police department to obtain a copy of the report. You will need this in the event of any follow-on investigation, legal action, or to file insurance claims.

• Never file a false crime report. This is punishable by law in most jurisdictions, and also wastes valuable law enforcement resources which should be concentrating on actual crimes.

• Use the 911 emergency number only for actual emergencies such as crimes in progress, situations causing imminent danger, or situations requiring immediate medical, fire or police response.

References

• Fairfax County, Virginia: Report a Crime
• Tulsa Police Department: Crime Reports