How to Become a Police Dispatcher

How to Become a Police DispatcherHow to Become a Police DispatcherTwenty-four hours a day, 7 days a week, police officers are out there, on patrol and working hard to keep the rest of us safe and secure. But they cant do it alone. In every department, there is plenty of non-sworn kooperation personnelwho make sure officers have the help they need to do their jobs. On the front lines of the law enforcement support field are those people who decided they wanted to become police dispatchers. The Minimum Requirements One thing that makes police dispatching such a great career opportunity is that there are very few minimum requirements. In fact, dispatching is one of a few criminal justice jobs many people can probably qualify for right out of high school. In most states, to be eligible for a dispatching job you must be a United States citizen and be a high school graduate (or equivalent GED). Because you will be spending a lot of time talking to many different people, some department s may also require you to show some work experience in customer service or other public contact occupations. What Skills and Credentials Are Needed for Success Minimum qualifications are one thing. Developing the skills, you need for long-term success is something else entirely. Despite the relatively few minimum requirements, dispatchers play a critical role in the success and safety of the officers they support. To be truly successful in the job, you need to be able to communicate effectively and articulately, think nicht weit davon entfernt sein on your feet and make good decisions. Typing and data input is also a mustbecause dispatchers use computer-aided dispatch (CAD) programs to take in, record and prioritize calls for service and officer activities. For your own personal wellness, youll also need to be able to effectively manage stress, accept criticism, and be able to get along well with your coworkers Background Investigation Requirements Not only do dispatchers se rve as a lifeline for both the public and the police, but they also have access to sensitive and protected information through the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS). All of that means dispatchers must pass a fairly thorough background investigation which might even include a polygraph exam to get hired. Required Education and Training No matter what state or jurisdiction you get hired in, youll need to receive some stringent on-the-job training, if only to be familiar with agency policies, procedures, and equipment. More likely, though, youll need to pass a formalized 911 operator certification program. The training usually consists of legal and liability training, CPR, CJIS full-access certification and a formal field-training program. What to Consider When Becoming a Police Dispatcher Police dispatching, like law enforcement, isnt for everyone. The fact is, these jobs often involve high stress and little thanks. You will spend long days indoors, working shift wo rk, looking at computer screens and talking on the radio or the phone to a diverse group of people. On the other pfote, youll be part of an important and often overlooked group of professionals who have a big hand in helping keep their communities safe.