When Kids Needlessly Call the Police: What Do You Do?

It happens more than you would think. There is no emergency, yet your child called the police. It happened to me recently. I was out in the backyard, and my 6-year-old son thought I'd left him and called the police. A few years ago, my sister's daughter called 9-1-1 by accident. Here are some tips to handling the startling situation when kids needlessly call the police.

When Kids Needlessly Call the Police: Stay Calm

The most important thing to remember when kids needlessly call the police is to stay calm. Losing your temper and yelling and screaming at your child is the worst thing you could do as a parent. Remember, the cop is already suspicious of the situation. He wouldn't be at your house if there wasn't a problem, right?

Take a few deep breaths and count to 10 if necessary. Put a smile on your face, even if it's an exasperated one. Remember your manners and greet the officer with courtesy.

When Kids Needlessly Call the Police: Explain the Situation

Whether your child accidentally dialed 9-1-1, he called because he was scared, or it was an act of rebellion, explain to the police officer what was going on. In the recent situation with my son, I smiled at the officer and explained what happened very calmly and in a matter-of-fact tone of voice. By staying calm and not getting angry or defensive, the officer was sympathetic to me and my situation. Don't over-explain yourself, though. The more words you use to explain what happened, the more suspicious a police officer is going to be. Keep in mind they are trained to spot someone who is uncomfortable and possibly lying.

When Kids Needlessly Call the Police: Cooperate with Police

If the police officer makes requests of you, cooperate within reason. If he asks for your name and telephone number, give it to him. He needs the information to fill out his police report. This does not mean you are under arrest or will have a police record. Any time a police officer is involved in a situation, he is required to fill out a report. Use your best judgment here, and keep yourself safe.

When Kids Needlessly Call the Police: Soothe and Reassure Your Child

Chances are your child is going to be plenty scared once the police officer leaves. She's going to be worried she is in trouble and if she's going to be punished. The one thing you don't want to teach your child is that calling the police will earn her a punishment. Explain to your child why calling the cops in this instance was wrong. Reassure your child by giving her lots of hugs and kisses, and then do your best to explain to her why it wasn't necessary to call the cops this time. It's important for children to know when it's okay to call the police.

Disclaimer: This article is not focused on those times when calling the police is necessary. Make sure your child knows how to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.