# 911 calls archived?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/911-calls-archived/219800>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 18, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/911-calls-archived/219800 "2003-12-18T17:55:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![byter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@byter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/byter)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/911-calls-archived/219800/1 "2003-12-18T17:55:19Z")

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Are 911 calls saved? Can the public access them?

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**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/911-calls-archived/219800/2 "2003-12-18T18:09:32Z")

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All 911 calls are recorded. The laws regarding how long they’re saved and who has access to them and when vary by state, and probably by community.

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**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/911-calls-archived/219800/3 "2003-12-18T20:23:01Z")

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Like **friedo** said, all 911 calls are recorded. EMS, Fire, and Law Enforecment agencies can and do access recordings for various reasons.

Here is the relevant [Minnesota statute](http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/13/82.html)

> [@](#):
>
> _13.82 Comprehensive Law Enforcement Data_  
> Subd. 4. Audio recording of 911 call. The audio  
> recording of a call placed to a 911 system for the purpose of  
> requesting service from a law enforcement, fire, or medical  
> agency is private data on individuals with respect to the  
> individual making the call, except that a written transcript of  
> the audio recording is public, unless it reveals the identity of  
> an individual otherwise protected under subdivision 17. A  
> transcript shall be prepared upon request. The person  
> requesting the transcript shall pay the actual cost of  
> transcribing the call, in addition to any other applicable costs  
> provided under section 13.03, subdivision 3. The audio  
> recording may be disseminated to law enforcement agencies for  
> investigative purposes. The audio recording may be used for  
> public safety and emergency medical services training purposes.