RapidSOS Helps Toronto Police Locate Callers Faster and Improve Emergency Response
The implementation of RapidSOS within Toronto Police Service Communications has significantly enhanced the ability of call takers and dispatchers to respond to emergencies with greater speed, accuracy and situational awareness.
By providing real-time enhanced location data, emergency contact information, medical indicators, and device-based intelligence directly from callers’ mobile phones, RapidSOS has become a critical operational tool in supporting frontline response and improving public safety outcomes across the city.
“Our team is utilizing RapidSOS as a critical operational tool to help Communications members more quickly validate caller locations, access important contextual information, and strengthen situational awareness during dynamic or high-risk incidents,” said Operations Supervisor Dawn Sams. “By incorporating this data into existing workflows, RapidSOS supports faster, more informed decision-making and enhances the level of service and safety we provide to both the public and responding officers.”
Several recent incidents demonstrate the direct impact of this technology.
In one case on January 28, 2026, a 65-year-old woman called 911 in a confused and disoriented state, reporting that she was trapped inside a locked store and unable to leave. The caller provided inconsistent information and was unable to accurately identify her location.
Using RapidSOS data, including enhanced location services, emergency contact information, and medical indicators identifying Parkinson’s disease, call takers were able to determine that the caller was most likely inside her own residence rather than at a public location. Officers attended the correct address, safely located the caller inside her apartment, and confirmed she was suffering from memory impairment and required assistance. Without the enhanced data provided through RapidSOS, locating the caller quickly and accurately would have been significantly more difficult.
In another incident on February 22, 2026, 911 received a report of a 31-year-old male who had intentionally ingested a high dose of GHB and was moving throughout the city while in crisis. The male left the initial area in an Uber, creating rapidly changing and uncertain locations. RapidSOS allowed communications staff to continuously monitor updated location data as the individual traveled toward the Scarborough Bluffs area.
The technology ultimately pinpointed the male walking eastbound on Undercliffe Drive, enabling officers to quickly locate and safely apprehend him before further harm occurred. He was transported to hospital for immediate medical care. This incident demonstrated the critical value of RapidSOS in dynamic, mobile emergencies where precise and evolving location intelligence is essential.
RapidSOS also proved instrumental during a serious fail-to-remain collision on May 5, 2026, involving two City of Toronto Traffic Wardens who were struck by a fleeing vehicle near Lake Shore Boulevard and York Street. The caller attempting to follow the suspect vehicle was unable to clearly identify locations or directions of travel.
Through RapidSOS breadcrumb tracking and enhanced location data, communications staff were able to accurately confirm the original collision scene while simultaneously tracking the caller’s movement along the Frederick G. Gardiner Expressway as they maintained visual contact with the suspect vehicle. This information allowed responding officers, Project Resolute, and Traffic Safety Units to coordinate effectively, locate the suspect vehicle, and safely take the driver into custody.
These incidents highlight how RapidSOS has strengthened TPS Communications’ ability to manage complex and high-risk calls by improving caller location accuracy, supporting real-time situational awareness, and enabling faster, more informed deployment decisions.
Superintendent Greg Watt reiterated that RapidSOS is a critical operational tool for the Communications Centre.
“Every second matters in 911 communications,” noted the Unit Commander. “RapidSOS gives our members another layer of real-time information that strengthens situational awareness and helps us better support both the public and responding officers.
“The successful rollout of RapidSOS is a reflection of the collaboration, professionalism, and commitment of our entire team. It is a true whole-of-Service approach. A lot of people worked behind the scenes to make this happen, and that effort is already making a difference.”
