Communications

The Malden Police Communications Center is staffed by police officers and civilian cadets 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The center is under the supervision of the Officer in Charge of the shift. All 9-1-1 calls for emergency service within the City of Malden are answered here and dispatched accordingly. Dispatchers have direct contact with Cataldo Ambulance for medical emergencies and also have the ability to transfer calls requiring fire department response directly to Malden Fire Alarm. The Malden PD Communications Center received over eleven-thousand 9-1-1 calls from landline phones in 2005.

Malden PD dispatchers also answer numerous business phone lines and monitor five police radio channels. All calls for service are logged into a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system. Malden PD utilizes QED Public Safety Software for its CAD, records management, booking, and incident reporting systems. The communications center also houses the CodeRed Telephone Emergency Notification system, which allows the police department to notify residents and business owners of public safety issues including weather-related emergencies, missing children, and police operations.

Dispatchers have several computer databases available to them inside the communications center including the Registry of Motor Vehicles computer, Board of Probation database, Warrant Management System and National Crime Information Center.

Department of Criminal Justice Information Services

Registry of Motor Vehicles

9-1-1 Disability Indicator Form

City of Malden

Malden Fire Department

Cataldo Ambulance

Malden PD's Radio Frequency: 470.76250

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: When should I dial 9-1-1?

A: To report a fire, medical emergency, crime in progress (such as a robbery, burglary, fight, etc) or any other life-threatening emergency (vehicle crash, etc).

Q: What information should I give the dispatcher when I call?

A: Try to provide as much information as possible, including the who, what, when, and where. Try to remain calm and speak slowly to the dispatcher. Do not yell into the phone. Remain on the line until the dispatcher instructs you to hang-up.

Q: Can I call 9-1-1 on my cell phone?

A: Yes, however be prepared to give the call taker information about your location because it is not the same as calling 9-1-1 on your home or business phone.

Q: What should I do if I call 9-1-1 by mistake?

A: If you accidentally dial 9-1-1, stay on the line and explain to the dispatcher that you do not have an emergency. If a caller to 911 hangs up without stating the problem, the caller must be contacted in order to ensure that no actual emergency exists. This may involve the dispatching of an officer to your home or place of business in order to ensure that a problem does not exist.

Q: What if I need the police, but it is not an emergency? What number should I use?

A: If you need the police for a non-emergency situation, call the business line at 781-397-7171. Examples of calls which should be placed to this line include:

- Noise complaints (loud parties, etc)

- Minor vehicle crashes without injury

- Past incidents of theft or vandalism

- Requests for information

Q: How do I notify public safety dispatchers of a person in my household who has a disability and/or communicates over the phone by a TTY?

A: Please fill out a Disability Indicator Form and fax it to the Malden PD 9-1-1 Supervisor at 781-397-0296. You may also mail it to the police station.

The Malden Police Department disclaims all responsibility for accuracy and completeness, or errors and omissions of the information contained herein. Although the Department tries to assure the accuracy of all information presented, you should confirm all information before making any decisions based on it.