Police Dispatcher

Examples of Duties

To receive incoming calls for police and emergency assistance and dispatch necessary units; to perform a variety of general support duties related to dispatch activities including record keeping, typing, and filing; and to monitor Teletype communications.
Under general supervision from higher level supervisory and management staff, Police Dispatcher duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police or other emergency service; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures; maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of police field units; answer non-emergency calls for assistance; answer maintenance service emergencies on weekends and holidays; coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement agencies; enter, update and retrieve information from Teletype networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information; perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety activities; test and inspect equipment as required; type daily log of all field calls and units dispatched; perform related duties as assigned.
A qualified applicant must be able and willing to work rotating shifts, including weekends, and holidays.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of: Geographic features and streets within the area served; standard radio broadcasting procedures and rules; correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar; modern office procedures, practices, and equipment.
Ability to: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations; effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens; type accurately at a rate of 35 words per minute or faster; understand and follow oral and written instructions; learn to operate dispatch, Teletype and other office equipment; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work various shifts as assigned.
Education & Experience:
Required:Completion of the twelfth (12th) grade or equivalent, and two (2) years of general work experience involving frequent interactions with the public.
Highly Desirable:One (1) year of dispatch experience in a public safety (police and/or fire) or fast-paced setting; and/or one (1) year of experience operating communications equipment; and/or possession of a California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course certificate.License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to, obtain a valid California driver license by time of hire.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, completion of the California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course.
Typing Certificate indicating a corrected typing speed of at least 35 wpm. (Please see the Supplemental Information section of this posting for details regarding this certificate, and to determine if the requirement applies to you.)