The Dothan non-emergency number for police is (334) 793-0215. Use it when you need an officer but no one is in immediate danger: past-tense crimes, noise complaints, suspicious activity, or minor property damage. For non-urgent fire department questions, call (334) 615-3500. Dial 911 only when a life, health, or safety emergency is happening right now.
The Numbers at a Glance
- Police non-emergency dispatch: (334) 793-02151Dothan Police Department. Contact Us
- Police main administrative line: (334) 615-3000
- Fire Department (non-urgent, Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.): (334) 615-35002City of Dothan. Fire
- Animal Services Division (direct): (334) 615-46203Dothan Police Department. Dothan Animal Shelter
- Any true emergency: 911 (Text-to-911 is also supported in Dothan)
The main administrative line and the non-emergency dispatch line are not the same. If you want an officer to respond or to take a report, go straight to (334) 793-0215. The (334) 615-3000 number is for general department business and can route you if you’re not sure where your question belongs.
When to Call the Non-Emergency Line Instead of 911
The test is simple: is anyone in danger right now? If no, the non-emergency line is correct. Common situations that belong on (334) 793-0215:
- Noise complaints, including loud parties and barking dogs.
- Past-tense crimes where the suspect is gone, such as a vehicle broken into overnight or property damage you discovered after the fact.
- Stray or nuisance animals. You can also call Animal Services directly at (334) 615-4620, or submit a complaint through the city’s online citizen service portal.4City of Dothan. Frequently Asked Questions – Section: Police
- Minor property damage such as a dented mailbox, graffiti, or a broken fence with no one on scene.
- Suspicious but non-threatening activity, like an unfamiliar vehicle parked on your street for days.
If any of those situations shift (someone becomes threatening, an intruder is still on the property, a fire starts), hang up and dial 911.
When You Can Skip the Call and File Online
Dothan Police run an online crime report portal for several low-level incident types. If your situation fits one of these categories, you can file from a phone or computer without calling at all:
- Criminal mischief (vandalism)
- Identity theft
- Lost property
- Theft from a vehicle
- Theft of property
The online system does not accept reports involving violence, including domestic violence. Those require an in-person meeting with an officer, which you can set up by calling (334) 793-0215. If your incident doesn’t match any of the online categories but isn’t violent, call (334) 615-3000 and someone can direct you.5Dothan Police Department. Online Crime Report
Online reports are processed by the Records Division during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff may contact you afterward for more details and to issue your case number, so don’t expect same-day turnaround on weekends.
What to Have Ready Before You Call
Pulling these details together before you dial makes the call shorter and gives officers something concrete to work with:
- The street address of the incident, or the nearest intersection.
- When the incident happened or when you discovered it.
- Names of anyone involved, or physical descriptions if you don’t have names: height, build, clothing, hair color, complexion.
- Any vehicle involved: make, model, color, and plate number. Even a partial plate helps.
Report what you know. Incomplete information is better than no report.
What Happens After You Report
Non-emergency calls go into a queue at the communications center, and dispatchers handle 911 calls first. Hold times run longer on weekend nights and around holidays. Stay on the line; hanging up and calling back sends you to the back of the queue.
If the situation needs a police presence, an officer is dispatched when one is available. For past-tense reports where no response would change the outcome, the dispatcher may take the information and generate a case number right there on the phone. Keep that case number somewhere you can find it. You’ll need it for insurance claims, follow-up calls, and any detective who contacts you later.
You can also report in person at the Dothan Criminal Justice Building, 210 N. Saint Andrews Street, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.4City of Dothan. Frequently Asked Questions – Section: Police
A Note on Misusing 911
Alabama law restricts the 911 system to genuine emergencies involving fire, medical crises, hazardous materials, or law enforcement needs.6Alabama Legislature. Alabama Code Title 11 11-98-10 – Restrictions on 911 Use Knowingly filing a false report to law enforcement is a Class A misdemeanor, and it becomes a Class C felony if the report claims someone is in imminent danger. A conviction also carries restitution covering the actual cost of the police, fire, and medical personnel who responded.7Alabama Legislature. Alabama Code Title 13A Criminal Code 13A-10-9 – False Reporting to Local, State, or Federal Law Enforcement Authorities Using (334) 793-0215 for the situations that belong there keeps 911 open for the people who need it and keeps you clear of those penalties.