9-1-1

What Happens When You Dial 9-1-1?

When you dial 9-1-1 from any house or business in the City of Plymouth, you will be directly connected with the Police Department Dispatch Center. Cellular phones may connect you with the Michigan State Police, who will in turn transfer the call to the proper area department for where you are located. The Police Department encourages citizens to report any suspicious activity or person immediately.

Describing a Suspicious Incident

The communications operator will ask you a series of questions:

  • Is this an emergency?
  • What is the nature of the emergency?
  • What is the location of the emergency?
  • What is the description of the suspect, victim, vehicle, and any direction of travel?

Depending on the nature of the emergency, the operator may keep you on the line while at the same time dispatches emergency service personnel.

Describing People

The following is a list of things that you should be aware of when describing people:

  • Age
  • Build (thin / heavy)
  • Complexion (pale / dark / ruddy)
  • Clothing (Type, style, colors, lengths)
  • Eye Color
  • Glasses
  • Hair (color and style / cut)
  • Height
  • Last known direction of travel (on foot, bicycle, in vehicle, etc)
  • Race
  • Sex
  • Speech pattern (accent / slang)
  • Visible marks / scars / deformities
  • Weight

Example: Male, white, approximately 45 years old, between 5 foot 6 inches and 5 food 8 inches, 150 pounds, medium build, gray hair, long sideburns, wearing a blue baseball cap, no coat, white, short sleeve shirt, dark pants, and sneakers. He was last seen walking west on Ann Arbor Road from Main Street.

Describing Vehicles

  • Body Style (truck, 2 door / 4 door, van)
  • Color
  • Identifying Marks (body damage, after market features, bumper / window stickers)
  • License Plate Number
  • Make
  • Model
  • Year (approximate, new or old)