How to Show Threatening Texts to the Police: What to Bring
Reviewed by Jacob Reed, founder of Verity ·
Short answer
Bring the phone with the messages still on it, a saved copy that doesn't depend on the phone (an export or printed screenshots), and a short list of what happened when. Show the officer the numbers or accounts the messages came from, say plainly which messages you read as threats, and ask for the report or case number before you leave. If there is a protective order, bring a copy. If you are in danger right now, call 911 instead of waiting.
A short, organized visit is easier for everyone, including the officer who has to write it up.
Before you go
- Don't delete anything, including your own replies, and don't block yet if you need the record (see where blocked texts go).
- Save a copy off the phone: an export of the conversation, or screenshots with the number and dates showing (see how to export your texts).
- Write a short timeline: date, time, what was sent, and anything that happened in person.
What to bring
- The phone, charged, with the conversation open.
- The saved copy, printed if you can, with the key messages marked.
- Your timeline, and the other person's name, number and accounts.
- A copy of any protective or no-contact order.
At the station
- Point to the specific messages and say why you read them as threats. Let the words speak; avoid adding to them.
- The officer may photograph the screen or ask to examine the phone. You can ask what they need, whether they will keep the phone, and for how long.
- Ask for the report or case number, and the officer's name, before you leave.
Afterwards
Keep saving new messages and add them to your timeline. If the report doesn't lead anywhere, a protective order is a separate step through the court; see texts as evidence for a protective order. For what counts as a threat, see what to do about threatening texts, and if the threats are about the children, see an ex threatening to take the kids.
A numbered copy helps
Verity reads your export in your browser, without uploading it, numbers every message in date order and flags threats and harassment patterns, so your timeline can point to exact messages. The printed list doesn't depend on the phone.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you are in danger, call 911; the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.
Make a copy that doesn't depend on the phone
Drop in your export and read every message numbered in date order. It is read in your browser and is not uploaded.