Windsor Police Service migrates to Next Generation 9-1-1
WINDSOR POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Windsor Police Service migrates to Next Generation 9-1-1
The Windsor Police Service is pleased to announce it has successfully transitioned to the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) network, effective today.
This migration from the legacy 9-1-1 network and systems marks a transformative step in how the Windsor Police Emergency 9-1-1 Centre delivers life-saving services to our community. While the way callers contact 9-1-1 remains unchanged, the underlying technology introduces several key improvements. This multi-stage upgrade will provide more accurate data to help determine a caller’s location and phone number, and in the future, enable broader use of multimedia communication such as real-time text, images, and video.
“The launch of NG9-1-1 will significantly impact how the Windsor Police Service responds to real-time emergencies,” said Karel DeGraaf, Deputy Chief of Operational Support. “By providing our 9-1-1 communicators with more accurate data and better situational awareness, NG9-1-1 will support faster response times and help us better serve our community. This important upgrade would not have been possible without the Ontario Government’s meaningful investment in public safety.”
Faster, more reliable help when people need it most
The NG9-1-1 system will deliver faster, more secure, and accurate data for 911 communicators. These upgrades are designed to:
• Deliver more precise location and caller information for faster response.
• Enhance cybersecurity and system resilience to ensure reliable service.
• Add backup capabilities to prevent service disruptions.
• Introduce an upcoming new auto text-back feature for abandoned 9-1-1 calls, freeing up precious time for 9-1-1 communicators.
“The transition to NG9-1-1 is a tremendous step forward for public safety, enabling emergency services to be delivered with greater speed and precision,” said Laura Smith, Director of the Windsor Police Emergency 9-1-1 Centre. “Providing enhanced innovative 9-1-1 services will allow us to continue to evolve and meet public expectations. This transition will benefit our 9-1-1 communicators, our frontline police officers, and most importantly, the people we serve.”
A milestone seven years in the making
The NG9-1-1 transition, mandated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), was implemented over seven years through collaborative efforts by the Emergency 9-1-1 Centre, Technology Services team, and other units across Windsor Police.
The Ontario Government has provided over $1.7 million since 2022 to support the Windsor Police Service’s transition to NG9-1-1.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we are upgrading Ontario’s public safety communications to NG9-1-1 which will empower first responders and provide them with critical, life-saving information meaning a faster, more effective emergency response,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “We will always have the backs of those who protect Ontario. That’s why we are proud to provide funding to Windsor for this new technology which will mean more calls will be answered, more lives will be saved, and people across the city can count on emergency services when it matters most."
“Our government’s investment in Next Generation 9-1-1 is a clear example of how our government is delivering real results for the people of Windsor,” said Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor–Tecumseh. “By supporting this vital upgrade, we’re ensuring that the Windsor Police Service can respond faster and keep our community safe. I’m proud to see this innovation happening right here at home.”
The Windsor Police Emergency 9-1-1 Centre is responsible for answering all 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls within Windsor and Amherstburg. In 2024, 9-1-1 communicators handled a total of 441,465 calls – an average of approximately 1,206 calls per day.