“We’re really just trying to offer something that’s just more convenient for everybody,” said Officer John Jung of the Kettering Police Department. “It’s not always easy for someone to wait for an officer to respond. It’s not always convenient to drive to the (police department).”
Those who need to file a report will still call dispatch’s non-emergency number. The dispatcher will then ask the caller if he or she prefers to speak with an officer over the phone or in person.
If the person prefers to file the report over the phone, an officer will call him or her back. However, that option will only be available for calls about criminal damage, criminal mischief, theft, identity theft, lost property and telecommunications harassment.
Jung cautioned that even though someone may want to file a report over the phone, police may still need to respond to the scene.
“If it’s something that involves a violent crime or something that would be considered higher degree than just a property crime for example, an officer’s going to respond, even if you don’t want one to,” Jung said.
Some other local police departments, including Beavercreek, have also expanded police report filing options.
Beavercreek Police accept reports over the phone only in extenuating circumstances, namely for people who live out of state or those who are physically unable to get to the police department, Capt. Eric Grile told this news outlet.
The Beavercreek Police Department also accepts police reports online through a program called CopLogic. The online tool is only for certain crimes, such as property damage, theft and phone harassment.
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