Last year, Saskatchewan RCMP’s Divisional Operational Communications Centre (DOCC) received over 350,000 calls for service ranging from 911 misdials and false alarms to serious incidents regarding matters of public safety. With 2023 in the rear view, RCMP has revealed the Top 10 calls that “missed the mark.”

10. An individual called 911 to complain that their friend hit them in the face during their boxing match.

9. 911 dispatchers received a call from a person saying that wasps were getting into their house and they wanted an officer to help them remove them.

8. A frustrated parent called 911 complaining that their child wouldn’t clean their room.

7. A caller advised that their smoke detector’s battery was low and requested an RCMP officer pick some up for them.

6. An individual called 911 asking if they could park their car on the opposite side of the street to avoid the sun hitting their leather interior.

5. An individual called 911 asking for a hair salon’s phone number so the caller could book a haircut. 4. A caller advised that their bag of chips got stuck in the vending machine and they were hoping an officer would come and help and get the chips unstuck.

3. A concerned individual called 911 to advise that their campsite was being invaded by bugs and that they had no bug spray.

2. A frustrated individual called to complain that their grass wasn’t cut properly by the person they’d hired to mow.

1. An individual called to complain that the smell of the deep fried rink food was too strong.

“As entertaining as some of these calls are, we want to remind everyone that 911 is for emergencies and emergencies only,” said Lee Rosin, recruiter for the Saskatchewan RCMP Operational Communications Centre, in a statement released last week. “ When I’m answering calls that aren’t an emergency, it means I’m not available for someone else who really does need potentially life-saving help.”