- 110 — emergency IN PROGRESS (active crime, violence, assault). Dispatches patrol.
- Digital Station — links to PNC services (police records, lost-document record, Traffic). It has no complaint form: online criminal complaints go to the MP.
- 1561 Crime Stoppers — anonymous tip on organized crime, narco, hitmen.
- In-person PNC sub-station — complaints requiring physical evidence, photos.
The National Civil Police (PNC — Policía Nacional Civil) is Guatemala’s police force — one of the 6 Direcciones Generales of MINGOB, but with its own portal, digital station, and 24/7 citizen service. Anything related to public safety, complaints, police background checks, traffic control, and supervision of private security companies goes through here.
Quick rule: Emergency NOW? → 110. Formal complaint? → a PNC station in person, or the MP online. Anonymous tip about organized crime? → 1561. Complaint against a PNC officer? → 3032-7356. Private security company? → DIGESSP. Background check for visa? → policiales.pnc.gob.gt.
Emergency numbers in Guatemala — quick reference
| Emergency | Number | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| PNC — Police | 110 | Crime in progress, assault, robbery, active violence, traffic accident with injuries |
| Volunteer Firefighters | 122 | Fire, rescue, ambulance, first aid |
| Municipal Firefighters | 123 | Alternative in Guatemala City (central zones) |
| Guatemalan Red Cross | 125 | Ambulance, non-urgent medical transport |
| IGSS Health | 1522 | Emergencies for IGSS members (IGSS ambulance) |
| MP — Anti-Violence Hotline | 1572 | Domestic violence, against women, children (Public Ministry) |
| PNC Crime Stoppers | 1561 | ANONYMOUS tip on organized crime (no need to identify yourself) |
| PNC — complaints about officers | 3032-7356 | Complaints against corrupt or abusive PNC officers |
| PNC Anti-Extortion | 1574 | Extortion, gang information |
| PNC Anti-Narcotics | 1577 | Drug trafficking reports, narco activity |
| CONRED | 119 | Natural disasters (earthquake, landslide, flood) |
Diaspora: the short numbers above are for calls made inside Guatemala; PNC publishes no international version of 110 (checked 24 September 2026). From abroad, ask someone in Guatemala to call, and use the MP online form for a crime that is already over.
Most-searched PNC trámites
Complaints and reports (all free, mostly online)
| Trámite | For whom | How |
|---|---|---|
| Where to file a complaint | Any crime victim | MP online or PNC station in person — free |
| Digital Station — what it offers | Anyone looking for PNC online services | Portal of links; no complaint form |
| Lost Property Report | Lost documents (DPI, passport, license) before replacement | Electronic lost-document record (linked from the Digital Station) or in-person — free |
Victims and specialized care
| Trámite | For whom | How |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence Report | Family violence victims (women, children, elderly) | 110 emergency + protection orders + shelters |
| Victim Support Services | Victims of any crime needing support | PNC + MP + IDPP + NGO coordination |
Private security companies (B2B)
| Trámite | For whom | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Private Security Company License (DIGESSP) | Entrepreneurs operating or starting a private security company | Q71,053.20 operating licence (18 minimum wages) + Q592.11 per agent accreditation (DIGESSP 2026) |
Background checks
| Trámite | For whom | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Police Background Check | Visa, work, residency | About Q30 (MINGOB; no gratuity law in force) |
| Criminal Background Check | Same recipient, complementary | About Q30 (via Judiciary; La Hora, Jan 2026) |
Diaspora — using PNC from the USA
If you live in the USA and need to interact with PNC for a family member in Guatemala or for your own case:
- Family member as crime victim in Guatemala: in an emergency, ask someone in Guatemala to call 110. For the formal record, file online with the Public Ministry (mp.gob.gt, “Registro de denuncia”) or have the family member report in person at a PNC station.
- Police background check from abroad (not for a US immigrant visa — the US Embassy accepts only the Ministerio Público “Antecedentes”; see immigrant visa interview in Guatemala City): the online system works from any country. Download as PDF and apostille at MINEX (an authorized family member in Guatemala starts it). See full guide.
- Repatriation after violent crime (homicide of family member): contact your nearest Guatemalan consulate — they coordinate with MP Guatemala, PNC, and MINEX for the body repatriation process.
- Reporting organized crime anonymously: 1561 (Crime Stoppers) accepts anonymous international calls. They do not ask you to identify yourself, do not track you, and your information goes directly to PNC intelligence.
- Complaints about Guatemalan police as a US tourist: if you were extorted or abused by a PNC officer during your visit to Guatemala, call 3032-7356, the number PNC publishes for complaints about its officers. The US Embassy in Guatemala also accepts reports of police misconduct against US citizens.
Before filing a complaint — checklist
| Have ready | Why |
|---|---|
| Valid DPI (victim) | Mandatory ID for formal complaint |
| Passport if foreigner | Replaces DPI for non-Guatemalans |
| Incident description (date, time, exact location) | The complaint records these data |
| Assailant description if seen (height, clothing, tattoos, vehicle, plate) | Improves investigation |
| Photo evidence if available (injuries, property damage) | Supports the complaint |
| Witnesses and their contacts | The MP will summon them later |
PNC sub-stations — key locations
| Location | Sub-station | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Guatemala City — Center | PNC Headquarters, Av. Petapa zone 13 | 110 |
| Antigua Guatemala | Central zone sub-station | 110 |
| Quetzaltenango (Xela) | Zone 1 sub-station | 110 |
| Escuintla | Department capital sub-station | 110 |
| Huehuetenango | Department capital sub-station | 110 |
| Cobán (Alta Verapaz) | Department capital sub-station | 110 |
Full directory: pnc.gob.gt — look for the “Subestaciones” section.
PNC categories — what each division does
Public Safety (patrol, prevention)
PNC has presence in every Guatemalan municipality — urban patrols, motorized units, PNC special force, and specialized units (DIPANDA — anti-narcotics, DEIC — criminal investigation, DIDS — tourist security).
Criminal Investigation (DEIC)
Investigates serious crimes: homicide, kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking, human trafficking. Works in coordination with MP (prosecutor) and OJ (judges).
PNC Traffic Department
Handles traffic control, accidents, fines, drivers licenses, and replacement reports. Its trámites are in the MINGOB hub — traffic category.
DIGESSP — Private Security Services
Regulates private security providers under Decreto 52-2010 (Ley que Regula los Servicios de Seguridad Privada). Authorises companies, issues three-year operating licences, accredits agents and sanctions infractions.
Digital Station (Comisaría Digital)
A page of links to PNC online services: police records and their validation, record cancellation, Traffic services, vehicle-inspection appointments, Tu Pista GT anonymous tips, the electronic lost-document record and SIGDE narcotics reports. It has no crime-report form; online criminal complaints go to the Public Ministry.
PNC contact
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official portal | pnc.gob.gt |
| Digital Station | pnc.gob.gt/comisaria-digital/ |
| Police Background Check | policiales.pnc.gob.gt |
| Emergency | 110 |
| Anonymous Crime Stoppers | 1561 |
| Complaints about PNC officers | 3032-7356 |
| Anti-Extortion | 1574 |
| Anti-Narcotics | 1577 |
| PNC Headquarters | Av. Petapa, zone 13, Guatemala City |
More Guatemalan government resources
- MINGOB Guatemala — PNCs parent ministry (naturalization, NGOs, criminal background)
- Judiciary (OJ) — judges, criminal background (CAPE), divorces, child support
- Public Ministry — prosecutor: files complaints for formal criminal proceedings
- RENAP Guatemala — DPI, birth certificate (needed for replacement after loss)
- Guatemalan Consulates in the USA — diaspora coordination with PNC
- Guatemala Trámites — complete directory