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Police communications operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, police communications operators don't need a college education. The most common degree for police communications operators is bachelor's degree with 49% graduates, with only 25% police communications operator graduates earning associate degree. Police communications operators who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or University of Maryland - College Park. Some good skills to have in this position include computer aided dispatch, dispatch system and two-way radio.

What education do you need to become a police communications operator?

What degree do you need to be a police communications operator?

The most common degree for police communications operators is bachelor's degree, with 49% of police communications operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 25% and associate degree degree at 15%.
  • Bachelor's, 49%
  • Associate, 25%
  • High School Diploma, 15%
  • Master's, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a police communications operator?

You should major in criminal justice to become a police communications operator. 28% of police communications operators major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a police communications operator include business and psychology.

Best majors for police communications operators

RankMajorPercentages
1Criminal Justice27.9%
2Business14.3%
3Psychology7.1%
4Communication5.8%
5General Studies5.2%

20 best online courses for police communications operators

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1. Hot Topics in Criminal Justice

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The American criminal justice system is in need of reform. We incarcerate too many people. We pay insufficient attention to scientific advances that can help separate out the most and least culpable and dangerous. We grant the police far too much power to use force and technological surveillance. As a way of thinking about dealing with these problems, this course examines two over-arching issues: What should we do with people who have committed crime, and how should we identify who they are? On...

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The Center for Humanitarian Emergencies is a partnership between CDC's Emergency Response and Recovery Branch and the Rollins School of Public Health that drives global collaboration, research and evidence based training to improve the lives and well-being of populations impacted by humanitarian emergencies. - Center for Humanitarian Emergencies: http://www.che.emory.edu/ - CDC's Emergency Response and Recovery Branch: http://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/healthprotection/errb/index.html This course...

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4. Winning Communication Skills for Telephone, Conference Calls

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5. Strategies for Senior Housing Communities during COVID-19

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SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, poses a high risk for senior housing communities and the people who live and work there. The COVID-19 response has largely focused on nursing homes, leaving independent living communities serving older adults in the United States with fragmented guidance on how to respond to COVID-19 challenges. This course provides comprehensive instruction and resources for property owners and managers, senior housing staff, service coordinators and providers,...

6. Communicating with the Public

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Rooted in theater, journalism and humanities practices, this course presents tools and techniques that help you improve your public-facing communication skills, particularly when describing your work to a lay audience. Whether it’s a 30-second elevator pitch or speaking to a large organization, “Communicating with the Public” will boost your confidence in any speech-communication scenario...

7. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide

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8. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications

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Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...

9. Networks and Communications Security

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Welcome to Networks and Communications Security Course! In the Networks and Communications Security Course, you will learn about the network structure, data transmission methods, transport formats, and the security measures used to maintain integrity, availability, authentication, and confidentiality of the information being transmitted. Concepts for both public and private communication networks will be discussed. Course Objectives 1. Describe network-related security issues 2. Identify...

10. Public Speaking: A tactical approach

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This course will teach public speaking, communication skills and storytelling in an entirely new way...

11. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 2

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Learn memory management in operating systems as operating system forms the core of computer science...

12. Getting Started with Call Center Training

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13. Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better

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14. Public Speaking & Communicating: Skip Theory, Master the Art

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15. Communication Skills - 7 Communication Courses In 1

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16. Winning With Communication - Master Communication Skills

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17. The Art of Communications - Become A Master Communicator

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18. Executive Communication Training

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19. The Complete Computer Forensics Course for 2023 PRO: CFCT+

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20. Communication Skills for Beginners

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Average police communications operator salary by education level

Police communications operators with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $41,939 annually. With a Associate degree, police communications operators earn a median annual income of $41,527 compared to $40,121 for police communications operators with an High School Diploma degree.
Police communications operator education levelPolice communications operator salary
High School Diploma or Less$40,121
Bachelor's Degree$41,939
Some College/ Associate Degree$41,527

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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