PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 The Phoenix Police Department is modernizing its process for non-emergency calls.<\/p>\n
A new AI tool is helping free up dispatchers who previously had to handle both emergency and non-emergency calls. Officials say this new tool will help keep 911 lines clear for true emergencies. <\/p>\n
How it works<\/p>\n
When a person calls the existing non-emergency line at 602-262-6151, an AI operator will filter the call through a series of questions. The system speaks up to 36 languages. <\/p>\n
The non-emergency line can be used to report issues such as past crimes, stolen property, and noise complaints. If the caller needs an officer to respond to the situation, the call will be transferred to a 911 operator. <\/p>\n
RELATED: <\/b>Glendale police roll out new high-tech tools streamlining 911 calls<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Phoenix Vice Mayor Ann O\u2019Brien spearheaded the initiative, saying the department receives more than 500,000 non-emergency calls annually. After researching different alternatives to handle the influx of calls to dispatchers, she asked city staff and Phoenix PD to explore these new AI-powered systems. <\/p>\n Arizona would not be the first to implement this tool. According to reporting from Arizona\u2019s Family sister station KPTV in Portland, Oregon, tested this technology in 2023<\/a>. O\u2019Brien said in a single month, the software handled over 24,000 non-emergency calls.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is how we move Phoenix forward: by combining innovation with action,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n Note: A caller will still have the option to speak to a live dispatcher. <\/p>\n See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n