Why are there different phone numbers for the Police Department and EMS

The departments are actually dispatched by the St. Clair County Dispatching center in Belleville, IL.

911 and the other dispatching numbers 618-566-2255 and 618-277-3500 are manned 24 hours a day seven days a week to provide immediate emergency services to those who need them. They contact the police officers or EMS by radio to dispatch them to an incident. 

The office number 618-566-2976 ex. 110 is only staffed during regular office hours and should only be used for general information needed at the actual department.