Canadian regional police reveals decrease in 911 call wait times

Victoria Hanscomb
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Motorola Solutions has announced that Peel Regional Police in Canada saw its 911 call wait times decrease by approximately 80% in 2024.
According to the company, this significant decrease can be attributed to support from the Region of Peel and Peel Police Service Board, public education campaigns on the misuse of 911, investments in new technology like Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) and dedicated 911 communicators.
These efforts have also resulted in a 92% increase in calls being answered within 15 seconds compared to last year.
“A robust investment in technology”
Peel Regional Police was the first large Public Safety Answering Point in Canada to implement NG 9-1-1, with funding support from the federal and provincial government.
The new system, which will be implemented in phases over multiple years, enables community members to connect faster with first responders during emergencies.
This includes a new feature, the Automated Abandoned Call-Back system, which provides the caller with clear instructions to acknowledge if the call was a misdial or an emergency.
To date, the system has processed over 75,000 hang-up calls.
“The reduction in 911 wait times is a testament to what can be achieved through the strong partnerships between the Board and Peel Regional Police, a robust investment in technology and collaboration across all levels of government,” said Chair Nando Iannicca, Peel Police Service Board.
“The Peel Police Service Board is committed to supporting initiatives like NG 9-1-1 that prioritize faster response times and public safety.
“These results demonstrate the importance of both innovation and the necessary resources to ensure emergency services remain accessible for those in critical need.”
911 emergency response
“Peel Regional Police has made extensive efforts to significantly reduce 9-1-1 call wait times this year, including the implementation of NG 9-1-1,” said Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police.
“This work has enhanced community safety by ensuring residents are connected faster with first responders to receive the help they need during emergencies.
“Together, with Peel Police Service Board and regional partners, we will continue to implement the resources required to respond to the safety needs of our rapidly growing community.”