Support Division

The Support Division is comprised of the 911/Dispatch Center and Police Records units.  The Coordinator of Support Services (CSS) maintains these units and ensures the department is in compliance with agencies such as Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS).
  1. 911/Dispatch
  2. Police Records

The Port Arthur Police Department handles tens of thousands of calls for service per year.  The majority of these calls originate from reports made to the department by telephone.  If you report an incident to the department, doing so in an effective manner can generate a more prompt and proper response.

When a Telecommunications Operator (TCO) answers the call, the TCO will gather and compile the information you provide into a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System and the call will be dispatched in a timely manner.  The department answers all calls for service; however, calls are dispatched in terms of priority depending on the nature of the call and the availability of officers to respond to calls received.

The TCO is a trained professional and it is imperative that you cooperate by answering all of the TCO’s questions and following any instructions you are given.

911 may be used to report in-progress emergencies, or those that have just occurred.  If you’re reporting a minor incident, or an incident where a significant amount of time has elapsed since its occurrence, then you should report it using the non-emergency police phone number at 983-8600.

You should not call 911 to report any incident unless it constitutes an emergency.  You should not make false reports or prank calls on 911.  Misuse or abuse of 911, or allowing a phone under your control to be used for these purposes, can result in criminal charges against you. 

Online Reporting is for non-emergency reporting.  Dial 911 if you have an emergency.

If you answer yes to the following questions, do not use the online reporting system:

  • Is this an emergency?
  • Did the incident happen outside of the Port Arthur city limits?
  • Is the crime actively occurring?
  • Is there a known suspect?

Use the online reporting system for these types of incidents:

Damaged Property

Report Damaged property/vandalism.

Damaged Property (Vehicle)

Report damage/vandalism to a motor vehicle.

Harassing Phone Call

Unwanted phone calls of an annoying, harassing, or threatening nature.

Identity Theft

The taking and use of someone else’s personal identification information to obtain credit, goods, or services.

Lost Property

Property that has been lost or misplaced.

Theft

When property is taken without your permission.  This does not include someone physically taking something from your person.

Traffic Complaint

Due to a specific traffic-related problem or situation, extra traffic enforcement is requested.

Vehicle Burglary

Property is stolen from a motor vehicle.

You are welcome to contact the department with any questions or concerns you have.  You may also request services of the department, such as checking your home while you’re on vacation.  If you’re requesting a service that the department is unable to provide, personnel can refer you to the appropriate agency or course of action.  Above all, remember that the Port Arthur Police Department is here to serve you.  Together we can make Port Arthur a safer community for everyone.