The Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has once again provided a glimpse into the more unusual side of emergency response, releasing its annual compilation of the top five strangest 911 calls received in 2025. Published on January 07, 2026, the list highlights incidents that, while prompting a call for help, ultimately "missed the mark" for genuine police emergencies.
When 911 Is Not the Answer
Each year, police forces across Canada receive a significant volume of calls to the emergency line that, while concerning to the caller, do not constitute a situation requiring immediate police, fire, or medical intervention. The Saskatchewan RCMP's release aims to educate the public on proper 911 usage, ensuring lines remain open for life-threatening situations. The calls featured in the 2025 list range from the perplexing to the downright trivial, showcasing the challenges dispatchers face daily.
The Curious Cases That Tied Up Emergency Lines
While the RCMP did not disclose the exact details of every call to protect privacy, they characterized the nature of the top entries. The list typically includes calls related to non-criminal disputes, complaints about services or businesses that are not police matters, and reports of minor inconveniences that pose no threat to public safety.
Past examples from other jurisdictions provide context for the type of calls that make these lists, such as reporting a missing french fry from a meal, complaining about a neighbor's loud music at a reasonable hour, or requesting police intervention in a minor consumer dispute. The Saskatchewan RCMP's 2025 selections follow this pattern, involving situations where callers mistakenly believed police authority was required.
Public Education and Resource Management
The publication of this list serves a dual purpose. First, it offers a moment of lighthearted reflection on the unpredictable nature of police work. More importantly, it functions as a critical public service announcement. Misuse of the 911 system can have serious consequences, potentially delaying response times for genuine emergencies where seconds count.
RCMP officials emphasize that 911 should be used exclusively for situations where there is an immediate threat to life, health, or property, such as a crime in progress, a fire, or a serious medical episode. For non-urgent matters, the public is encouraged to use the local non-emergency line or other appropriate community resources.
By sharing these examples of calls that "missed the mark," the Saskatchewan RCMP hopes to foster a more informed and responsible public. The key takeaway is clear: saving 911 for true emergencies ensures that help is available instantly for those who need it most, making the community safer for everyone.
