What does a police communications dispatcher do?
Police communications dispatcher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real police communications dispatcher resumes:
- Train and skil in the use of the NCIC system.
- Provide crucial NCIC computerize data to units in the field.
- Maintain department vehicles and patrol cars maintenance fleet service records.
- Relay call for service from citizens to patrol officers for a quick responding.
- Monitor close circuit TV (CCTV) and alarm systems, and report any unusual activity or activations.
- Maintain composure and compassion while handling emergency and non-emergency calls from a diverse community
- Certify by APCO as a nationally recognize emergency dispatcher.
Police communications dispatcher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Police Communications Dispatchers are proficient in Computer Aided Dispatch, CAD, and Good Judgment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to multitask, Communication skills, and Empathy.
We break down the percentage of Police Communications Dispatchers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Computer Aided Dispatch, 20%
Documented, translated and entered call content into a proprietary database using computer aided dispatch.
- CAD, 11%
Used knowledge and expertise in the CAD environment to provide shadow training for new employees, resulting in reduced training time.
- Good Judgment, 7%
Position required constant contact with the public in stressful situations that require good judgment, considerable tact, and calmness
- Two-Way Radio, 6%
Operated two-way radio to provide lifeline support for officers in the field.
- Computer System, 6%
Operated a variety of communications equipment including radio consoles, telephones and computer systems.
- Public Safety Agencies, 5%
Communicated effectively to neighboring local public safety agencies via live broadcast of two-way digital high frequency radio.
"computer aided dispatch," "cad," and "good judgment" are among the most common skills that police communications dispatchers use at work. You can find even more police communications dispatcher responsibilities below, including:
Ability to multitask. The most essential soft skill for a police communications dispatcher to carry out their responsibilities is ability to multitask. This skill is important for the role because "public safety telecommunicators must stay calm in order to simultaneously answer calls, collect vital information, coordinate responders, monitor multiple displays, and use a variety of equipment." Additionally, a police communications dispatcher resume shows how their duties depend on ability to multitask: "maintain files of information relating to emergency calls such as personnel rosters, and emergency call-out and pager files. "
Communication skills. Many police communications dispatcher duties rely on communication skills. "public safety telecommunicators work with law enforcement, emergency response teams, and civilians," so a police communications dispatcher will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways police communications dispatcher responsibilities rely on communication skills: "received and handled over 200 emergency and non-emergency calls daily in a large police communications center. "
Empathy. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of police communications dispatchers is empathy. This skill is critical to many everyday police communications dispatcher duties, as "public safety telecommunicators must be willing to help a range of callers with varying needs." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "trained new employees on customer service etiquette as well as understanding the eve operator system. "
Listening skills. police communications dispatcher responsibilities often require "listening skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "public safety telecommunicators must listen carefully to collect relevant details, even though some callers might have trouble speaking because of anxiety or stress." This resume example shows what police communications dispatchers do with listening skills on a typical day: "listened carefully to citizens calling for police assistance, disseminated appropriate information to the field personnel. "
Typing skills. Another crucial skill for a police communications dispatcher to carry out their responsibilities is "typing skills." A big part of what police communications dispatchers relies on this skill, since "public safety telecommunicators enter the details of calls into computers; typing speed and accuracy are essential when responding to emergencies." How this skill relates to police communications dispatcher duties can be seen in an example from a police communications dispatcher resume snippet: "provide customer service accomplishments i receive good work ethics on how to provide assistance to policyholders skills used typing customer interaction speed"
See the full list of police communications dispatcher skills
The three companies that hire the most police communications dispatchers are:
- Arizona Department of Public Safety2 police communications dispatchers jobs
- JPS Health Network
1 police communications dispatchers jobs
- State of Arizona1 police communications dispatchers jobs
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Compare different police communications dispatchers
Police communications dispatcher vs. 911 operator
A call taker works at a call or dispatch center, where they are primarily in charge of answering calls, identifying the callers' needs, and coordinating services to assist them right away. Although their responsibilities depend on their company or industry of employment, it usually involves answering inquiries, processing requests, arranging appointments or reservations, and handling issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. When it comes to employment, a call taker may work for 911 dispatch centers, taxi companies, towing services, and private hotlines.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, police communications dispatcher responsibilities require skills like "good judgment," "two-way radio," "emergency situations," and "criminal justice." Meanwhile a typical 911 operator has skills in areas such as "dispatch system," "non-emergency services," "cpr," and "dispatch police." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
911 operators tend to reach similar levels of education than police communications dispatchers. In fact, 911 operators are 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Police communications dispatcher vs. Call taker
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that police communications dispatcher responsibilities requires skills like "good judgment," "two-way radio," "non-emergency calls," and "direct supervision." But a call taker might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "taker," "data entry," "customer service," and "cpr."
Call takers earn a lower average salary than police communications dispatchers. But call takers earn the highest pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $42,836. Additionally, police communications dispatchers earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $48,406 annually.In general, call takers achieve similar levels of education than police communications dispatchers. They're 4.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Police communications dispatcher vs. Emergency operator
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a police communications dispatcher is likely to be skilled in "good judgment," "two-way radio," "public safety agencies," and "direct supervision," while a typical emergency operator is skilled in "emergency operations," "emergency services," "emt," and "eoc."
When it comes to education, emergency operators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to police communications dispatchers. In fact, they're 1.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Police communications dispatcher vs. Emergency dispatch operator
Types of police communications dispatcher
Updated January 8, 2025
