Advice for a To-Be Dispatcher?

[soundwave]

I know this is going to probably be really bad timing after CPDLissa's post, but... Do you guys have any advice for someone who's about to be a dispatcher? I've already talked to and received a bunch of pointers from a couple dispatchers on here via plenty-o-PM's (thanks especially go to Stump!), but I wanted to know what you guys have to say.

Oh, and I totally forgot about it until CPDLissa's post, but it actually said in my job description that I would have to fill-in as the supervisor if need be. Don't know if that has anything to do with that "boss" thing, but what in the world would that mean? I mean, the Sgt. would be one click away on the mic, right? lol Anyway, any advice for someone who's less than a month and a half from orientation and training would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Cheers. =O)

[retdetsgt]

Oh, and I totally forgot about it until CPDLissa's post, but it actually said in my job description that I would have to fill-in as the supervisor if need be.

That's kinda bizarre sounding to me. Our dispatchers answer to their own supervisors. A police Sgt is in charge of the troops. A dispatcher would never know how to supervise cops. All they do is send out info and coordinate if necessary.

[soundwave]

That's what I was trying to figure out because there's only one dispatch supervisor to supervise all of the dispatchers and one dispatcher for every shift. I really didn't understand it myself. I mean, what are we going to do? Supervise ourselves? Kind of multiple personality like isn't it? lol Oh well, I'll ask about that part when I get there. Any advice for me, though? =O) Cheers.

[Deputy12]

Probably supervisor of the comm if seniority is not available. I would not think they mean of the patrol officers. Just ask your training person.
Don't worry about being a dispatcher because of posts to the other one, I think that one is the exception to the rule. Most dispatchers care about the ones on the street.

[MOCOP]

When you dispatch a single man car to something or he/she checks out on a traffic stop. Please please give regular status checks until you are sure the officer is secure.

Oh and don't have me return to station just to ask if I'll make a Micky D's run for you.

[mcsap]

whatever you do , do NOT think along the lines of CPDlissa !!!!!!!!!!!

[samseed101]

Oh and don't have me return to station just to ask if I'll make a Micky D's run for you.

I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one that got that call on a regular basis, lol.

[Darin]

Try not to say Uhhhh's and Ummmm's a lot on the radio.

[MOCOP]

I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one that got that call on a regular basis, lol.

Nope used to get it all the time.

Dispatch: "350 10-19 for traffic."

So I drive back to the station thinking I've got warrants to pick up and..........
"Hey can you run to Micky D's for us"
:eek:

[michiganstud]

1. Learn to drink lots of coffee, just short of inserting an IV.

2. Learn to talk on the phone, type on the computer, use the foot pedal to operate a radio and eat your dinner all at the same time.

3. Learn to hate sleep.

4. Learn how to hold your pee for 4 hours.

5. Learn to hear many complaints from mentals about aliens.

6. EXERCISE - if you don't you'll get fat from all the food and snacks laying around.

[MOCOP]

Learn say "10-9?" and " Unit calling?" :D

[michiganstud]

oh yeah and:

7. Learn to surf on RP for hours and hours when you have down time. :D

[Piggy]

I dispatched on and off for about 5 years. Obviuously you have to go by the rules and policies. But here are some tips that I think are useful:

1. Try to anticipate what the Officer will need and have it ready. For example, if time permits...an Officer conducts a traffic stop. 9 times out of 10, the driver is the registered owner of the vehicle. So if you can, run the drivers license from the registration so when the Officer calls in the driver, you already have it waiting. Another benefit I found from this, two times I had an Officer give me driver info with someone that didn't have ID, that were giving false info. Once I found out the registered owner was already wanted / suspended, the Officer asked some more questions and ended up with an arrest. Had I just ran the information provided, it would have been a verbal warning and release.

Another example, our Prosecutor required a criminal history with every arrest, regardless of the charge. So if I knew the Officer was arresting someone, I would run it (check local policies). That way, when he asked, I could tell him it was already ready. It seems petty, but it was a small way to stay ahead of the game and not have the Officer ask for everything.

But this concept goes with many things, just try to find ways to stay ahead of the game and anticipate what will be needed.

2. Once you work there for a while, try to find ways to improve the agency. I noticed that there was a severe lack of information sharing, especially within the small departments. I started an email program, where every night when it was slow I'd send an email out to every Officer who had an email address (and wanted the info). The email would be a brief summary of calls of interest, burglaries, robberies, etc. and a list of warrants recently issued. It was beyond successful. There were countless arrests, and several incidents where fugitives were caught that would have otherwise went free just because of the email. I didn't get along with my supervisor because she put fire dispatching over Police dispatching and I made my opinion clear. At one point, to spite me she took away out email. In less than one day, she received so many phone calls complaining, I got my own computer with email

3. When you dispatch an Officer to a house, try to get something more than an address. I can't count the number of times the houses aren't marked with address. Rather than send them to 1210 Maple Street...you can tell them 1210 Maple Street, it's a two story blue house next to a red barn. It might take another second or two, but it'll make things much easier when the Officer can't locate a house. And always get a callback number. That way if something does happen, you can always call back.

[tpd_six]

Great advice piggy. Also one to add, I know how important computers are and they want you to add all the information you can into the system before dispatching the call. However, when a time sensitive call comes in, get the basics out over the air and get an officer headed that way ASAP. This is just one of my pet peeves.

I don't know how many crashes, fights, vehicle locates, etc. I have been delayed in getting to because the dispatcher needed to type in everything before even letting the officer know what was up. You can always give us more information and work on your data entry while we are enroute. Usually with our dispatch, I add 10 minutes to the time frame I'm given and it's usually pretty close.

Also when time and workload permits on an important call, keep the complainant on the line as long as possible to keep us updated on conditions, locations, etc. It helps us out greatly to know we're getting real time information that's not 20 minutes old, and it is also comforting to the caller to know you're with them until we arrive.

[Darin]

Excellent advice Piggy and TPD. Our dispatchers are very good.