Short answer. For a matter that is not an emergency, call the California Highway Patrol non-emergency line at 1-800-835-5247 (24/7) 2. If a life, a person or property is in danger right now, call 911 1.
Who to call
| Situation | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency: police, fire, ambulance | 911 | 1 |
| CHP, non-emergency | 1-800-835-5247, 24/7 | 2 |
What does the California Highway Patrol say?
"Need to talk to us, but it's not an emergency? Call us at 1-800-TELL-CHP (1-800-835-5247) for non-emergency purposes," 2
City police in California
Inside a city, non-emergency calls usually go to the city police or sheriff. City lines in California: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Stockton, Riverside. All cities: Police non-emergency numbers by city.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CHP non-emergency number?
1-800-835-5247, the California Highway Patrol non-emergency line 2.
Should I call 911 or the CHP non-emergency line?
Call 911 if a life, a person or property is in danger right now 1. Use the non-emergency line for everything else.
Sources · 2
- Federal Communications Commission · Text to 911: What You Need to Know checked 2026-10-20
- California Highway Patrol · 1-800-TELL-CHP (1-800-835-5247) checked 2026-11-09