The Toronto Police Service is launching *TPS (*877), a new three-digit number that can now be used to call the Toronto Police non-emergency line.

This feature lets residents quickly reach non-emergency services with an easy-to-remember three-digit number.

The *TPS (*877) number is available exclusively for wireless devices and works on the networks of Rogers, Bell, TELUS, Freedom Mobile, and all their subsidiary companies.

At this time, *TPS (*877) is not supported by traditional phone infrastructure and is not accessible from landlines. If you are calling from a landline or having trouble connecting, you can continue to contact the non-emergency line by calling 416-808-2222.

Toronto Police Service thanks our wireless partners for their support in making this important change possible, to help improve accessibility and public safety across the city.

This new number is in response to Recommendation 25 in the Auditor General’s report. Information on the Auditor General’s report and recommendations can be found here.

To ensure the emergency lines are clear for emergencies, the public is reminded of the automatic text back feature for all misdialled calls into 9-1-1 from a wireless device when the call is disconnected before connecting with a call-taker.

If people receive a text message from 9-1-1 it is important they text back with either a 1 for an emergency or a 9 if it is not an emergency.

An automatic text back message appears as:

You called 9-1-1 but disconnected. If you have an EMERGENCY, text 1. If NO EMEGENCY, text 9. Texting to 9-1-1 is NOT supported at this time. This line is NOT monitored. Messages other than 1 or 9 will not be seen by a 9-1-1 Operator. Msg expires in 90sec

Removing the hang-up calls from the 9-1-1 queue means that people on the line with a true emergency can get through to an operator faster.

TPS operates Canada’s largest and busiest communications centre, which receives nearly 2 million calls annually. We are dedicated to providing timely and effective emergency response services to the residents and visitors of Toronto. Our highly trained team of dispatchers and state-of-the-art technology ensure that we are always ready to assist those in need.

Watch Constable Viktor Sarudi explain new *TPS (*8-7-7).