Telling Google to call the police seems like a harmless joke or prank at first glance. However, making false police reports, even as a joke, can have serious legal consequences. This article will examine what actually happens when you ask Google to call law enforcement, whether telling Google to contact police could be considered illegal, and the potential penalties for making bogus emergency calls.
Can You Really Call the Police Through Google?
The short answer is no, you cannot actually call the police by speaking to your Google Assistant device or smartphone app. Here’s a more in-depth look at why this is the case:
Google Assistant Cannot Call Emergency Services
While Google Assistant can perform many tasks through voice commands, such as setting alarms, playing music, or answering questions, it does not have the capability to contact emergency services like 911.
Google Assistant is an artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant produced by Google. It is designed to provide helpful information to users in response to voice queries, not to place phone calls on your behalf.
Some virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or Apple’s Siri can call emergency contacts you’ve previously designated. However, they cannot actually dial 911 or connect you directly to the police. Any commands to “call the police” will just result in an apology that this feature is not currently available.
Smartphone Apps Like Google Voice Cannot Call 911 Either
Similar limitations apply to other Google products like the Google Voice app. While Google Voice lets you make calls over wifi or data connections, it does not have access to contact emergency services.
This restriction applies to most other VOIP (voice over internet protocol) apps as well. Due to limitations in how these internet-based voice services are designed, they cannot provide access to 911 operators or police dispatch.
So while you can playfully ask your phone or smart speaker to call the cops, it won’t lead to actual emergency personnel showing up at your door.
Is Telling Google to Call Police Illegal?
While Google Assistant and VOIP apps cannot actually contact law enforcement when instructed, is simply telling your device to call the cops considered illegal?
It Could Constitute Making a False Police Report
In some cases, telling Google or a voice assistant to call the police when no emergency is occurring could be construed as making a false police report. The exact laws and penalties for false reporting vary between jurisdictions, but some consider it a criminal offense.
Some relevant laws prohibit knowingly providing false information to law enforcement or public safety personnel. Even though a virtual assistant cannot truly connect you to the police, making the request with intent to mislead could violate these types of laws.
It Depends on Context and Location
However, in most casual contexts this is unlikely to rise to the level of criminality. Simply joking around with friends or making silly requests not intended to be taken seriously would probably not result in charges being filed.
The location matters as well. Some states have stricter laws regarding false emergency calls versus others. The context of the situation also determines whether simply telling Google to call police crosses the line into public deception.
Swatting Is a Serious Form of False Reporting
There are also harsher penalties associated with “swatting” – making false reports about emergencies in order to generate an urgent police response. While swatting often targets celebrities, it has also impacted private residences.
This dangerous practice has even resulted in deaths when police respond expecting an emergency but encounter an unaware victim instead. Due to the risks, most places have enacted tough laws against swatting, involving fines, jail time, and other serious punishments.
| Location | False Reporting Law and Penalties |
|---|---|
| California | 6-12 month jail + $1,000 fine for false reports |
| Texas | Up to 180 days jail + $2,000 fine |
| Florida | 60 days jail + $500 fine |
What Are the Penalties for Making False Police Reports?
As we’ve seen, laws prohibiting bogus reports to law enforcement authorities exist in many places. But what are the actual penalties faced by those who break these laws?
May Face Fines or Jail Time
As noted earlier, consequences may include fines ranging from $500 to several thousand dollars depending on location. First-time offenders likely face the lower end of this scale. Repeat violations could result in fines at the higher end.
Jail sentences are also possible for more serious infractions. A first offense may lead to 60-90 days incarceration depending on the jurisdiction. Again, repeat offenders often face harsher sentences of 6 months or more of jail time.
Restitution May Also Be Required
Another potential penalty includes having to pay restitution. If the false report resulted in financial losses due to the police response, the perpetrator may have to cover those costs.
For instance, if a swatting incident caused a police department to incur overtime, helicopter, or other expenses, the person responsible could be on the hook for reimbursing those funds.
May Be Charged With Additional Crimes
Beyond direct penalties for making false reports, other charges are also possible depending on circumstances. Trespassing, harassment, conspiracy, and even assault could apply in certain situations.
If bodily harm or even death occurs due to police responding under false pretenses, manslaughter or similar charges may be brought as well.
When Does Telling Google to Call Police Become Illegal?
Understanding when simply joking around crosses into criminal behavior isn’t always straightforward. Here are some factors that likely come into play:
Intent and Context Matter
As mentioned earlier, your intent makes a big difference. Joking with friends in a casual setting is very different from making a false report about a serious emergency. Hyperbolic language and tone suggesting you aren’t serious also reduce risks of criminal penalties.
The context of the situation provides important clues as well. Declaring an emergency where none exists in an environment where it could be plausibly interpreted as real increases your risk of punishment significantly.
Pattern of Repeat Behavior
Isolated instances are less likely to be prosecuted versus repeat behavior. Deliberately making multiple bogus calls over time, even if intended as a prank, can meet thresholds for criminal false reporting charges in many jurisdictions.
Resulting Response and Damages
The scope of the police/emergency response also impacts how severely the matter is treated under the law. Small incidents are often overlooked versus major mobilizations of SWAT teams that put lives and property at risk unnecessarily. The resulting damages and expenses may factor into potential penalties as well.
Location Matters
As we saw earlier, different areas have enacted a patchwork of laws addressing false reporting with varying standards and sentences. Behaving identically in different states could lead to very different outcomes. Understanding your local laws is important.
Conclusion
While Google Assistant and other apps cannot truly contact police if asked, making false emergency calls can still be illegal. Potential penalties like fines and jail time may apply depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction. Simply joking between friends is unlikely to cause issues, but repeated false reports or dangerous swatting incidents can bring harsher punishments. Understanding your local laws, and avoiding potentially criminal behavior that wastes emergency resources or risks lives, lets you avoid legal jeopardy.