What does a police communications operator do?
Police communications operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real police communications operator resumes:
- 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.
Police communications operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Police Communications Operators are proficient in Computer Aided Dispatch, Dispatch System, and Two-Way Radio. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to multitask, Communication skills, and Empathy.
We break down the percentage of Police Communications Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Computer Aided Dispatch, 17%
Answered calls and provided appropriate responses to 150-200 911 emergency calls daily, utilizing computer aided dispatch system.
- Dispatch System, 6%
Evaluated information received and utilized protocols provided through the computer-aided dispatch system to determine appropriate action or actions to be taken.
- Two-Way Radio, 6%
Relayed agency systems information to law enforcement personnel via two-way radio.
- CAD, 6%
Gather pertinent information and document the information into proper CAD fields in a clear, concise, accurate and complete manner.
- Computer System, 5%
Entered data into various computer systems including Spillman and inter-office software.
- Criminal Justice, 5%
Certified in operating and monitoring National and State criminal justice systems.
"computer aided dispatch," "dispatch system," and "two-way radio" are among the most common skills that police communications operators use at work. You can find even more police communications operator responsibilities below, including:
Ability to multitask. The most essential soft skill for a police communications operator 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 operator resume shows how their duties depend on ability to multitask: "accessed various criminal justice databases for information concerning offender status and criminal history. "
Communication skills. Many police communications operator duties rely on communication skills. "public safety telecommunicators work with law enforcement, emergency response teams, and civilians," so a police communications operator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways police communications operator responsibilities rely on communication skills: "support other police communications officers handling complex, unusual and emergency situations. "
Empathy. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of police communications operators is empathy. This skill is critical to many everyday police communications operator 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: "demonstrated empathy, understanding, helpfulness and patience while assisting people in stressful situations to resolve these problems. "
Listening skills. For certain police communications operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "listening skills." The day-to-day duties of a police communications operator rely on this skill, as "public safety telecommunicators must listen carefully to collect relevant details, even though some callers might have trouble speaking because of anxiety or stress." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what police communications operators do: "communicated with other agencies concerning involvement in emergency situations. "
Typing skills. Another crucial skill for a police communications operator to carry out their responsibilities is "typing skills." A big part of what police communications operators 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 operator duties can be seen in an example from a police communications operator resume snippet: "increased speeds required for typing, and processing cards in the cad system in an emergency situation. "
The three companies that hire the most police communications operators are:
- University of Florida3 police communications operators jobs
- City of Carlsbad2 police communications operators jobs
- Jefferson Center Mental Health1 police communications operators jobs
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Compare different police communications operators
Police communications operator vs. 911 emergency dispatcher
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 operator responsibilities require skills like "two-way radio," "criminal justice," "non-emergency calls," and "emergency services." Meanwhile a typical 911 emergency dispatcher has skills in areas such as "public safety agencies," "cpr," "fire ambulance," and "medical dispatch." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
911 emergency dispatchers really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $37,685. Comparatively, police communications operators tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $37,964.The education levels that 911 emergency dispatchers earn slightly differ from police communications operators. In particular, 911 emergency dispatchers are 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a police communications operator. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Police communications operator vs. Emergency dispatcher
Each career also uses different skills, according to real police communications operator resumes. While police communications operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "two-way radio," "criminal justice," "non-emergency calls," and "emergency services," emergency dispatchers use skills like "customer service," "public safety agencies," "non-emergency telephone calls," and "cpr."
Emergency dispatchers earn a lower average salary than police communications operators. But emergency dispatchers earn the highest pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $37,537. Additionally, police communications operators earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $37,964 annually.emergency dispatchers earn similar levels of education than police communications operators in general. They're 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Police communications operator vs. Call taker
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from police communications operator resumes include skills like "two-way radio," "non-emergency calls," "emergency services," and "computer terminals," whereas a call taker is more likely to list skills in "taker," "customer service," "cpr," and "gps. "
Call takers earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $42,836. Police communications operators earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $37,964.Most call takers achieve a similar degree level compared to police communications operators. For example, they're 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Police communications operator vs. Emergency medical dispatcher
Types of police communications operator
Updated January 8, 2025
