Police communications operator vs emergency telecommunications dispatcher

The differences between police communications operators and emergency telecommunications dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police communications operator has an average salary of $39,636, which is higher than the $38,561 average annual salary of an emergency telecommunications dispatcher.

The top three skills for a police communications operator include computer aided dispatch, dispatch system and two-way radio. The most important skills for an emergency telecommunications dispatcher are EMS, computer aided dispatch, and CPR.

Police communications operator vs emergency telecommunications dispatcher overview

	Police Communications Operator	Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$39,636	$38,561
Hourly rate	$19.06	$18.54
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	42,992	27,658
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Police communications operator vs emergency telecommunications dispatcher salary

Police communications operators and emergency telecommunications dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Police Communications Operator	Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher
Average salary	$39,636	$38,561
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $55,000	Between $28,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	Wheat Ridge, CO	-
Highest paying state	Oregon	-
Best paying company	Georgetown University	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between police communications operator and emergency telecommunications dispatcher education

There are a few differences between a police communications operator and an emergency telecommunications dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	Police Communications Operator	Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Police communications operator vs emergency telecommunications dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between police communications operators' and emergency telecommunications dispatchers' demographics:

	Police Communications Operator	Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 28.1% Female, 71.9%	Male, 27.9% Female, 72.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	17%	17%

Differences between police communications operator and emergency telecommunications dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Police communications operator example responsibilities.

Manage busy company switchboard, operating PBX or private branch exchange systems to facilitate connections.
Screen, train, test, and certify operators to gain access to LLETS and/or NCIC.
Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.
Perform monthly inventory and destruction of COMSEC material while maintaining strict accountability standards.
Control COMSEC for company level operations and follow all destruction and pickup regulations.
Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.

Emergency telecommunications dispatcher example responsibilities.

Perform EMD protocols for injure subscribers.
Provide assistance in accordance with state mandates of EMD.
Provide medical instruction to those on the scene of the emergency until the EMT's arrive.
Display patience, caring, and understanding until police, fire, or ems arrive on the scene.
Help the caller stay calm if need and give verbal directions such as CPR, gunshot victim, seizures, etc.
Operate NC DCI system within DCI and agency protocols, disseminate information to appropriate officers, and effect entries into NCIC.

Police communications operator vs emergency telecommunications dispatcher skills

Common police communications operator skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 17%
Dispatch System, 6%
Two-Way Radio, 6%
CAD, 6%
Computer System, 5%
Criminal Justice, 5%

Common emergency telecommunications dispatcher skills

EMS, 13%
Computer Aided Dispatch, 11%
CPR, 9%
Public Safety Agencies, 7%
CAD, 6%
NCIC, 5%

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Police Communications Operator
Police Communications Operator vs Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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