If you are here, that means you had an incident in the past (something that is not active or happened at least 20 minutes or more in the past), you are a victim of a crime, and/or you need to make a police report for non-crime matter such as Lost Property, or crime such as Rape, Robbery, Assault, Burglary, or Larceny. Enough talk, let’s jump right into the steps:
Step 1: What happened?
You can call 911 for any crime that is active or happened in the past. However, whether to call 911 or walk into a police precinct for a past incident depends on what happened. For example, to report a past Assault, Robbery, or Larceny, you can call 911 from scene, or walk into a police precinct. However, to report a Burglary or vehicle accident, always call from scene and remain on scene as these kind of incidents need to be investigated on scene.
Step 2: When did it happen?
You can call 911 regardless when it happened. However, if you choose to go to a precinct, make sure it’s one of those incidents that does not required to be investigated on scene. See examples here.
Step 3: Where did it happen?
If you call 911 from scene, obviously you are giving the address (whether a building address or an intersection or the cross streets). However, if you choose to go to a precinct, you need to know you are going to the right precinct. Technically, you can go any NYPD precinct to report an incident that happened in the five boroughs but going to the precinct that covers where the incident happened makes it much easier since the detective(s) most likely interview you if your incident falls under major crime’s definition.
Step 4: Where to go?
Once you know the address of the incident, you can look it up here to see which precinct covers the area where the incident happened. Also, be mindful that it may not be always a patrol precinct. if the incident happened in the subway, it’s going to be an NYPD Transit District. If incident happened in one of the New York City Housing area, aka NYCHA, then it’s going to be an NYPD Police Service Area, aka PSA, precinct.
Step 5: Go to the precinct (if you choose this option)
After finding out the precinct, go to the precinct. You’re going to be welcomed either by a uniformed officer or a civilian member. Tell them what happened. Give as much information as you can. If you have any documents, screenshot, photos, or videos related to the incident, take them with you to the precinct and show them to the officer. Explain everything to the officer; however, do not try to classify an incident to a specific crime by searching in the internet. You explain what happened, the officer will listen and after confer with the supervisor, the officer will take the report and classify the incident based on what happened. Remember, every incident is different and unique.
Step 6: Officer takes report or Refer
After listening what happened and conferral with supervisor, the officer will start taking pedigree information to take the report or refer you to the appropriate agency or court as some incident may feel criminal but turns out to be civil matter. If officer is taking report, s/he may tell you to stay to be interviewed by a detective depending on crime. If interview not necessary at the time of report, the officer will give you an incident slip or receipt. Remember, every time you make a police report, always get the incident slip, or officer’s name and badge number so that you can find the report in future if needed.
Usually, these are the steps to make a police report. Here are some scenarios if you want to learn more.