Gordon Graham
Category: Public Safety

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. And Today’s Tip deals with visiting the dispatch center or communications center or whatever your agency calls it. Today’s Tip applies to all of our friends in public safety: Law enforcement, Custody and Fire services.

How about you doing a “sit-a-long” in the communications center. Watch your telecommunicator as he or she attempts to extract information from uncooperative callers.

I know that many dispatch or communication centers are located within your public safety facility. In these instances, you probably visit them pretty regularly. But I know there is a trend toward off-site or consolidated dispatch centers where you may never meet or see your telecommunicators.

As part of their training, telecommunicators are usually required to participate in a ride-a-long to better understand the job of an officer, a deputy or a firefighter. Here’s a thought: How about you doing a “sit-a-long” in the communications center. Watch your telecommunicator as he or she attempts to extract information from uncooperative callers. Learn how the cellular 9-1-1 system works. See why the telecommunicator may not always have a precise location for you. Learn how the computer aided dispatch systems and mapping software work. You may be shocked to discover just how much work a telecommunicator does even on the most simple call he or she sends you on.

And while you’re at it, don’t be afraid to share with the telecommunicators what information is most important to you when you’re responding to a particular type call. And finally, when your “sit-a-long” is completed, give your telecommunicators a great big “Thank You” for the tremendous job they do.

And that is Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Gordon Graham signing off.