SAMPLE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below is a list of common questions associated with filing a police report online.  If you have any questions while entering your report, please call the non-emergency dispatcher at (XXX) XXX_XXXX (Agency phone #).

Why should I report my incident online?
Online incident reporting is a convenient option that can save you time and provide you with easy access to a copy of your police report.  By filing your report online, you are also helping your community by providing victims of high priority crimes with faster response times to their calls.  If you are not comfortable filing your report online, you can still file your report in person by visiting our department’s lobby or by calling our non-emergency dispatcher at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.  If the incident you are trying to report is in progress or is an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

What happens to my approved or rejected report after I submit it online?
Once your report has been submitted, it will be reviewed, approved, or rejected by a police officer.  If your report requires additional information or clarification, the officer will send you an email explaining what needs to be done to your report in order for it to be approved.  If you do not respond to the request, the system will send you a reminder five days prior to your report being rejected.  If your report is approved, you will receive an email containing your official case number and information on how to obtain a copy of your report.  Typically, reports are reviewed within five days of being submitted online.

What do I do if the report I want to submit isn’t listed on the system?
Not every incident can be reported online.  If you need to file a report for an incident that isn’t available through the system, please call 9-1-1 for emergencies and in-progress incidents.  For non-emergencies, call 555-555-5555.

What if the incident happened outside of the City of (Agency name)?
Report the incident to the law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling the area where the incident occurred.

My insurance company requires a case number.  Can I still file my report online?
Absolutely!  As long as the incident you are reporting is listed on our site you can file your report online. Once you have submitted your report, you will receive a tracking number and have the ability to print out a temporary summary of what you filed.  However, do not send your insurance company the tracking number or temporary copy of the report.  If the reviewing officer approves your report, you will receive your official case number along with instructions on how to obtain a copy of your report that you can use or can provide to your insurance company if needed.