Sioux Falls Non-Emergency Number: When to Call and How to File

The Sioux Falls non-emergency number is 605-367-7000. That line reaches Metro Communications, the central dispatch center for Sioux Falls, Brandon, and Minnehaha County, and it’s the number to call when you need police, fire, or animal control help for a situation that isn’t an immediate threat to anyone’s safety. For emergencies in progress, dial 911.

When To Call 911 Instead

Use 911 whenever someone’s life, health, or safety is in immediate danger. Crimes in progress, medical emergencies, fires, serious traffic crashes with injuries, and any situation where a few minutes of delay could make things worse all belong on 911. If you’re unsure, call 911. A dispatcher can downgrade the call if it turns out to be non-urgent. Lost time works the other direction.

When 605-367-7000 Is the Right Line

The non-emergency line is for situations where no one is in immediate danger and no crime is actively happening. A useful rule of thumb: if it already happened and no suspect is present, or if it’s a nuisance rather than a threat, use 605-367-7000.

  • Past property crimes, like a burglary you discovered when you got home, an overnight theft from a vehicle, or vandalism you found in the morning.
  • Identity theft, including fraudulent charges or accounts opened in your name.
  • Noise complaints such as loud parties, barking dogs, or disruptive construction outside permitted hours.
  • Animal control issues, including stray animals, loose dogs, and animal welfare concerns. Animal Control is reached through the same number.1City of Sioux Falls. Animal Control
  • Abandoned vehicles left on public streets for extended periods.
  • Minor traffic issues like a broken traffic signal, debris in the road, or a non-injury fender bender where both drivers are cooperating.

The same dispatch team handles calls for the entire county, so operators can route your request to whichever agency covers your location.2City of Sioux Falls. Metro Communications Metro Communications is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Filing a Report Online

For some non-emergency incidents inside Sioux Falls city limits, you can skip the phone call and file online through the Sioux Falls Police Department.3City of Sioux Falls. File an Online Police Report To use the system you must be at least 18, have a valid email address, and the incident cannot be in progress.

Reports you can file online include:

  • Theft and theft from a vehicle
  • Vandalism and vehicle vandalism
  • Graffiti
  • Identity theft
  • Harassing phone calls
  • Illegal dumping
  • Lost property

Some situations cannot be filed online and require a phone call or in-person report. Those include stolen firearms, stolen medication, automobile accidents, and stolen vehicles or anything with a VIN or license plate.3City of Sioux Falls. File an Online Police Report

What To Have Ready Before You Call

Whether you’re calling or filing online, gather the basics first. Dispatchers and the online form will ask for:

  • The exact street address or nearest cross streets where the incident happened.
  • The date and time, or your best estimate of the window. A range like “between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.” is more useful than “sometime last night.”4City of Sioux Falls. Police Information and Requests
  • Your name, phone number, email, and address for follow-up.
  • A clear description of what you observed or discovered.
  • Suspect details if you saw anyone: height, build, clothing, approximate age, direction of travel.
  • Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate for any vehicles involved.
  • Supporting evidence like photos of damage or screenshots of fraudulent transactions.

After You File

Online submissions generate a confirmation message and an email with a tracking number. All online reports go through a review, and an officer may contact you if more information is needed.3City of Sioux Falls. File an Online Police Report Phone reports work the same way: the call-taker enters your information and a case number is generated.

To check on a report or request a copy, call the Police Records Division at 605-367-7226, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time.4City of Sioux Falls. Police Information and Requests Keep your case or tracking number handy. If you need the report for an insurance claim, your insurer will typically ask for it.

Anonymous Tips

If you have information about a crime but don’t want to give your name, Crime Stoppers of the Sioux Empire accepts anonymous tips at 605-367-7007 or toll-free at 877-367-7007. Crime Stoppers is separate from police dispatch, and tips can lead to cash rewards.

A Warning About False Reports

Filing a knowingly false police report is a crime in South Dakota, classified as false reporting to authorities. It covers both fabricating an incident and knowingly providing false details about a real one.5South Dakota Legislature. South Dakota Codified Law 22-11-9 – False Reporting to Authorities The offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, carrying up to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.6South Dakota Legislature. South Dakota Codified Law 22-6 – Authorized Sentences and Limits The rule applies equally to phone and online reports.

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