Building a 3-1-1 System for Police Non-Emergency Calls: A Case Study of the City of Austin Police Department. Executive Summary.

摘要

This report documents how the Austin Police Department (Texas) identified the need for a 3-1-1 system (phone number for non-emergency requests for public service and information), designed and procured the system, and marketed it to the citizens. In Austin, 9-1-1 call volumes were increasing faster than the city's population, and existing technology and staff levels could not support the increasing call load. The Austin Police Department (APD) concluded that 40-50 percent of the 9-1-1 calls were either for police non-emergencies or situations that were not appropriate for police, fire, or rescue operations. This was particularly true for citywide crisis situations, such as weather emergencies. The 3-1-1 calling system was developed to take such calls to relieve the 9-1-1 system. APD's implementation of 3-1-1 focused on developing highly trained and skilled call-takers, building critical partnerships, and changing public perceptions of 9-1-1. APD assured 3-1-1 callers that the staff were cross-trained as 9-1-1 call-takers who are capable of handling potential emergencies.