I need your help on this one:
We were just informed of a policy change regarding giving out our full names to callers when they ask. The new policy is that if a caller asks for your name, you must give out your full name; i.e. first and last name along with your id number.
This I am highly against due to privacy issues. I have no problem giving my last name and id number if needed.
I am trying to find any precedence or other policies that do not condone this. I need sugggestions or ideas because my search so far has turned up nothing.
I just dont want to have to give my name to some irate caller and then start recieving harrassing calls or anything like that.
Every department I've worked for has had that same policy. I understand your trepidation at having to provide your full name to an irate caller - I've certainly been there!
But think of it this way - officers have to give their full names and ID numbers both on their reports (public record), their business cards which many are required to hand out with every contact, in court, in press releases, etc. Even dispatchers give callers the officer's information:
"Yes, sir, the officer that responded to your alarm was Officer Joe Shmoe. Would you like his direct voicemail?"
So....there's no way to get around this one, IMO. As dispatchers, we need to be held accountable for our actions while on duty, same as the officers do.
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Not to sound like a jack-arse but.. you're working in Public Service, afaik, privacy is limited when that's the case. I hear the privacy issue though, but still.
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Not to sound like a jack-arse but.. you're working in Public Service, afaik, privacy is limited when that's the case.
Yes, as an employee of a public safety agency you cannot hide your identity, unless there is an active investigation requiring subterfuge. Every agency I know of requires you to fully identify yourself with name, title and badge/identification number upon request.
It may come as a surprise to some that the public also has access to your salary and any disciplinary action. I think the only items protected are your Social Security number, home address and phone number. This part may vary from state to state, but I do believe it is prominent.
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We are only required to give our badge number here. However we are required to wear a name tag wih out first and last names on it. Okay if you are over the phone, not so good for anonumity if you are stadning talking to someone.
However, everyone calls me George, my name tag says George, heck I have even received tax returns in the name of George, but my real name is not George. If they ask, I tell them my name is George, as that is what everyone calls me and it is on my name tag.
Ain't gonna help them finding my phone number or addres though.;):D
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Give them the name of the person you least like :p
Or the supervisors name :p
Huh. yeah we have a guy that used to be on my team and we all knew his badge number by heart and would just give that if asked.
Funnily enough he was in on it. It just meant that instead of the team being made up of 11 people of varying sizes and genders, the complaints review committe thought our entire team was made up of 11 skinny, short Asian males. :D
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"He didn't want to tell the cop he was on his way to the Butt Pirate Palace for a little two-step with Joe-Joe during the Village People marathon." - Cat_Doc
"Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
You can't flip it over and start again...Don't blink..." Kenny Chesney
"Take care, never leave home on bad terms, watch your back and go home in one piece." - Aussie Nathan
"The batton in my jacket is hot like a porn actor to beat someone down." - Patchcop
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hockey9019
Give them the name of the person you least like :p
Or the supervisors name :p
A few years ago there was a guy who quit here and went to a neighboring department. He left behind a big stack of business cards that were handed out by different people when someone demanded their info. :D He got all kinds of comlained on and he didn't even work here anymore!
Another guy I know was in detectives for a while. He has a way of charming people. :rolleyes: Whenever someone in the office got fed up and demanded his sgt one of the other guys on the squad would come over and hear the complaint. He'd tell the citizen he'd take care of it and in front of them demand the other guys badge and gun and tell him he's suspended the rest of the day. The citizen would leave happy and they'd all have a good laugh over it.
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... I think the only items protected are your Social Security number, home address and phone number. This part may vary from state to state, but I do believe it is prominent.
In my neck o'the woods, all Property Records are computerised and public record. So while they may be "protected" by your Agency, they are wide open by your County Government. My first and last name is all it takes to find out my wife's name, what property we own and very shortly thereafter, I am sure even my unpublished home number will be popping up from some web site, somewhere... so most all of the precautions I took when I was starting out, the P.O. Box, the property in my wife's name, my DL registered to my P.O. Box, using nothing but initials on official reports, the telephone unpublished and listed under my wife's first initial and middle name as her last... are all moot in this day and age.
Its open season on LEO's in my State, and I'm sure we are not alone on that... but its one reason I don't leave my house without my "Bang-Americard".
Meanwhile, here's a little self-checking device to see how "popular" you may be... relax, its used to send flowers:
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