Police Department Manual (PDP)

Effective: 9/1/1963

Revised: 3/1/2010

PDP 203–04: Reporting Obscene and Threatening Telephone Calls

Purpose

To provide guidelines for reporting obscene or threatening telephone calls

Sources

Arizona Revised Statutes § 13–2916

ASU Police Department

Policy

It is unlawful for any person to use a telephone with the intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy, offend, and/or threaten to inflict injury or physical harm on another person or the property of another person. The use of obscene, lewd, or profane language on the telephone is considered evidence of such intent. It is also unlawful to disturb, by repeated telephone calls, the peace, quiet, or right of privacy of any person.

Procedure

Any person receiving an obscene or threatening telephone call on university property should notify the ASU Police Department (480/965–3456) as soon as possible.

A representative from the department will document the incident and provide an incident tracking number.

Victims of obscene or unwanted phone calls should not destroy, erase, or otherwise damage any recording, text messages, or any evidence that might assist with the investigation.

As soon as practical, victims should consider having their phone numbers changed. Additionally, victims should tell the callers to stop and document the date and time when the notification was made. Provide this information to the investigating officer.

skip navigation bar

---

PDP manual | ASU policies and procedures manuals | Index of Policies by Title | PDP manual contact | Police Department Web site

Back to Top