The RCMP is advising the public of the best ways to access police when needed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, the RCMP say detachments throughout the province have noted an increased number of voice mail messages being left on detachment phone lines.

When calling the RCMP’s 44 detachments across the province, a caller has three options to choose from:

The RCMP say option one is for emergency calls that require an urgent police response; option two is for non-emergency calls that require a police response; and option three is for general inquiries and/or to speak with someone at the local detachment.

For all matters requiring a police presence, options one or two should be selected. By pressing option three, the call will only be answered if a person is sitting in the detachment at the time of the call. Otherwise, you will be prompted to leave a voice mail which may result in a delayed response.

If your call is of an urgent nature, the RCMP say to use the 911 emergency system.