Average Response Time to Police Priority 1 Calls
Desired Result: Below Target
Analysis of Performance
As of Q4 2021, the Target was lowered from 5 minutes and 30 seconds to 5 minutes and 15 seconds.
- This is a quarterly metric, currently reflecting Q4 2023 data.
- Q4 2023 results indicate that the average response time was 3 minutes and 45 seconds. This is well below the target of 5 minutes and 15 seconds.
- We will continue to look for methods to evaluate the effectiveness of our resources. Response time, measured in minutes and seconds, provides a framework to do this.
- A daily review is performed for any Priority 1 calls and a monthly reconciliation is also conducted. These allow us to evaluate the data integrity and more closely examine any unusually long response times.
- Better evaluation and closer scrutiny of the calls shows response times are near the target more often than originally thought.
- Specialty unit personnel supplement Patrol shifts for better staffing and supervisors are guiding the efficient use of time on calls to maximize officer availability
Metric Definition
This measure represents the average response time to Police Priority 1 calls. Priority 1 calls make up less than 1% of the overall calls for service, however, these are the highest priority of call, one that is an immediate threat to life, a felony-in-progress call, or a call where a weapon is being used. This time is measured from the time the call is received to the time the officer arrives at the scene.
Why Is This Important?
Emergent response is a primary function of police. Response times need to be adequate and reasonable to satisfy this primary function.
City Organization Impact on Performance
High – Emergent response is a primary function of police. Having adequate resources, strategic deployment of those resources and maintaining reasonable geographic obligations greatly impacts response times.
Benchmark Information
Benchmarking in progress