Oklahoma City Cops Accused of 'Prank Stupidity' Over False 911 Call

Officers placed on leave after reporting a baby thrown from a moving car as an April Fools' joke

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:37pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked and damaged police radio or dispatch equipment, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the consequences of abusing emergency services.The misuse of emergency dispatch resources through false reports undermines public trust and endangers lives.Oklahoma City Today

Several Oklahoma City police officers have been placed on administrative leave after allegedly making a false report to dispatchers on April Fools' Day, claiming a baby had been thrown from a moving car. The prank call prompted a major emergency response from multiple agencies before officers later admitted it was a joke, drawing widespread criticism for wasting resources and endangering public trust.

Why it matters

False emergency calls not only waste valuable time and resources, but they can also delay responses to real crises and erode public confidence in law enforcement. While 'swatting' and other hoax calls remain an ongoing issue, this incident involving on-duty police officers is particularly concerning.

The details

Around 9:30 pm on April 1st, a police officer allegedly relayed electronic messages to dispatchers about a vehicle being pursued, claiming the driver had thrown a baby out the window. A subsequent message said the driver had run over a transient. This prompted responses from the Oklahoma City Fire Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and other agencies before officers admitted it was all a prank. The officers involved are now on leave pending an internal investigation, and could potentially face criminal charges for abusing the 911 system.

  • On April 1st, around 9:30 pm, the false reports were made to dispatchers.
  • Multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene before the officers admitted it was a prank.

The players

Oklahoma City Police Department

The law enforcement agency whose officers are accused of making the false 911 call as an April Fools' prank.

Oklahoma City Fire Department

One of the agencies that responded to the false report of a baby being thrown from a car.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol

Another agency that responded to the false emergency call.

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What they’re saying

“False reports waste resources and endanger the public, potentially delaying responses to real emergencies.”

— Lance Terry, State 911 coordinator

What’s next

The Oklahoma City Police Department is conducting an internal investigation into the incident, and the officers involved could face criminal charges for abusing the 911 system.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the serious consequences of false emergency calls, even when made as a prank. It erodes public trust in law enforcement and can put lives at risk by diverting resources away from real crises. Authorities must take strong action to address this issue and restore confidence in the emergency response system.