Chattanooga Police Department: How to Report Crime and Access Non-Emergency Services
The Chattanooga Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency responsible for policing the city proper, with around 400 sworn officers covering roughly 137 square miles. It operates separately from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, which handles county-wide jurisdiction, and from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, which covers interstates and state routes. Understanding which agency handles your situation matters: CPD responds to crimes, accidents, and disturbances within city limits; the Sheriff's Office manages unincorporated county areas and jail operations; THP handles I-24, I-75, and I-59 incidents.
Emergency vs. Non-Emergency Reporting
Call 911 for any life-threatening emergency, active crime in progress, serious injury, or immediate threat to safety. The 911 dispatcher will route you to CPD if the incident occurs in Chattanooga.
For non-emergency matters, call the CPD non-emergency line at (423) 698-2525. This number is for completed crimes you want to report after the fact, minor traffic accidents with no injuries, suspicious activity that is not immediately dangerous, lost or found property, and requests to speak with an officer for documentation purposes. Response times for non-emergency calls are slower than emergency responses, sometimes taking hours, so use this line only when the situation does not require immediate police presence.
When CPD Handles Your Matter vs. Other Agencies
The Chattanooga Police Department responds to crimes occurring within city limits: theft, assault, burglary, vehicle accidents, and disturbances. They also handle permit applications for parades and special events and manage records requests for police reports.
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction in unincorporated areas outside Chattanooga's city boundaries and operates the county jail. If you are unsure whether you are in the city or county, use the non-emergency line and dispatch will clarify.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol responds to traffic accidents on interstate highways and state routes (I-24, I-75, I-59, US-27, US-41, and similar corridors). If your accident occurs on a city street or county road, contact CPD or the Sheriff's Office instead.
Reporting Options Beyond the Phone
Online reporting is available for specific incident types through the CPD website. You can file reports for theft, fraud, vandalism, and other property crimes that do not require immediate investigation. This option is useful if you want documentation for insurance claims and the incident occurred several days or weeks ago.
In-person reporting occurs at the main police headquarters at 3001 Navajo Avenue, which is open during standard business hours. Bring identification and details about your incident. Walk-ins are accepted but expect longer wait times than calling non-emergency, so phone reporting is generally faster unless you need to provide physical evidence.
Logistics and Contact Information
The main administrative office and records section are at 3001 Navajo Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37406. Hours for records requests and administrative matters are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (verify current hours before visiting, as holiday and staffing changes occur). Parking is available in a lot adjacent to the building.
Non-emergency line: (423) 698-2525. Emergency: 911. Questions about specific reports or investigations should be directed to non-emergency; they will transfer you to the appropriate detective or officer if necessary.
Who Should Use CPD Services and When
Use CPD if you are reporting a crime that occurred in Chattanooga, need a police report for insurance or legal purposes, or are experiencing a safety emergency within the city. Use the non-emergency line if you have already left the dangerous situation and need to file a report later. Use online reporting if your incident is property-related and happened days ago.
Do not call 911 for non-urgent questions, traffic complaints about a vehicle that has already left, or to ask about police policies. Do not call if your issue is county-wide (contact the Sheriff's Office) or occurred on an interstate (contact THP).
For residents seeking to file complaints about officer conduct, the CPD Internal Affairs Unit handles these matters and can be reached through the main non-emergency line.
The Chattanooga Police Department is the primary law enforcement contact for city residents and visitors, with clear channels for both emergency and routine reporting that help route your call to the right agency based on incident type and location.
