What does a police dispatcher do?
Police Dispatchers are responsible for assessing incoming calls and deploying police resources using professional judgment. Their duties include answering emergency calls from agencies and the public, gathering information from police systems and call handlers, conducting priority assessments based on vulnerability and risks, and liaising with police officers to determine the logistics of place and time of an incident lodged. They also help facilitate investigations, reassure victims, and maintain accurate incident records.
Police dispatcher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real police dispatcher resumes:
- Rout dispatch calls to police, EMT, and fire departments.
- Dispatch and answer phones for police, fire and ems units to calls for emergency and non-emergency situations.
- Work with programs such as NCIS/LEAPS, CJIS and IMC.
- Assist with completion of subpoenas and warrants.
- Respond to emergency calls and dispatch appropriate police and EMT units.
- Conduct the operations of radio, telephone, and cad computer systems.
- Dispatch appropriate fire, ems, and police units to respond to the scene.
- Train to give emergency advice and CPR over phone in a calm soothing manner.
- Monitor and utilize close circuit television (CCTV) system, fire systems and security alarms.
- Assist with geo-updates in the cad system and are a mentor and trainer for new employees.
- Operate a multi-line telephone console system, alerting system, and TDD system for the deaf and hearing-impair.
- Dispatch personnel and equipment to scene of emergency while maintaining radio contact and viewing camera footage via CCTV.
- Dispatch designate patrol units to need locations upon request via wireless radio system.
- Input court-provide information for finalizing protection orders in NCIC.
- Input data into an automate personnel database and record keeping system.
Police dispatcher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Police Dispatchers are proficient in Computer Aided Dispatch, Patrol, and CAD. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to multitask, Communication skills, and Empathy.
We break down the percentage of Police Dispatchers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Computer Aided Dispatch, 15%
Organized requests for emergency assistance from citizens and dispatched to Police Officers via radio and computer aided dispatch monitors
- Patrol, 8%
Prioritized inbound calls operated two-way radio/mobile data terminal equipment to dispatch calls to patrol units.
- CAD, 7%
Documented pertinent caller and event information into CAD.
- NCIC, 6%
Operate and disseminate NCIC information as requested by commissioned law enforcement officers.
- Law Enforcement Agencies, 6%
Distribute police-related information to other law enforcement agencies via telephone, fax, radio and/or computer communications systems when necessary.
- Dispatch System, 4%
Dispatched emergency response personnel using digital and/or analog voice communications equipment, and/or an emergency computer dispatch system.
Most police dispatchers use their skills in "computer aided dispatch," "patrol," and "cad" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential police dispatcher responsibilities here:
Ability to multitask. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a police dispatcher to have is ability to multitask. Their role and responsibilities require that "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." Police dispatchers often use ability to multitask in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "dispatch fire and medical personnel according to type of emergency, ensuring all apparatus and manpower satisfy emd response. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform police dispatcher duties is communication skills. Police dispatchers responsibilities require that "public safety telecommunicators work with law enforcement, emergency response teams, and civilians." Police dispatchers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "monitor and operate the texas law enforcement telecommunications system (tlets)/national crime information center (ncic) system equipment. "
Empathy. police dispatchers are also known for empathy, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to police dispatcher responsibilities, because "public safety telecommunicators must be willing to help a range of callers with varying needs." A police dispatcher resume example shows how empathy is used in the workplace: "displayed empathy and professionalism; while providing the highest quality of service to customer when taking inbound calls regarding their alarms. "
Listening skills. A big part of what police dispatchers do relies on "listening skills." You can see how essential it is to police dispatcher responsibilities because "public safety telecommunicators must listen carefully to collect relevant details, even though some callers might have trouble speaking because of anxiety or stress." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical police dispatcher tasks: "listened to each radio transmission from police personnel in the field, acknowledged and complied with request for action or information. "
Typing skills. Another crucial skill for a police dispatcher to carry out their responsibilities is "typing skills." A big part of what police 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 dispatcher duties can be seen in an example from a police dispatcher resume snippet: "performed clerical work of average difficulty including filing, typing and data entry. "
The three companies that hire the most police dispatchers are:
- Methodist Health System4 police dispatchers jobs
- Indiana University Health La Porte Hospital Inc3 police dispatchers jobs
- WakeMed3 police dispatchers jobs
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Compare different police dispatchers
Police dispatcher vs. Communications officer
A communications officer is responsible for maintaining the brand image of an organization through monitoring marketing campaigns and public relations techniques. Communications officers handle press releases, social media management, media outreach, reviewing digital contents, and disseminating public communications within the company's premises and appropriate audience. They often coordinate with the senior management to develop strategic procedures to improve brand awareness, attracting potential partnerships that would generate more revenues and increase the company's profitability. A communications officer must have excellent leadership skills to monitor the performance of the communications staff and ensure maximum productivity.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between police dispatchers and communications officer. For instance, police dispatcher responsibilities require skills such as "patrol," "ncic," "two-way radio," and "data entry." Whereas a communications officer is skilled in "affordable housing," "non-emergency telephone calls," "customer service," and "emergency situations." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Communications officers earn the highest salaries when working in the non profits industry, with an average yearly salary of $43,787. On the other hand, police dispatchers are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $40,071.On average, communications officers reach higher levels of education than police dispatchers. Communications officers are 6.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Police dispatcher vs. 911 operator
A Telecommunication Operator handles all incoming calls and transfers them when necessary to appropriate quarters. As a Telecommunication operator, you will be tasked with responding to inquiries, answering messages, and passing along communication to the right individuals. In addition to that, you will be tasked with organizing the telephone directory and performing a host of other administrative tasks. You will also have the responsibility of processing packages and incoming mails and delivering outgoing mails and packages to the post office or other shipping facilities.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that police dispatcher responsibilities requires skills like "patrol," "two-way radio," "criminal history," and "data entry." But a 911 operator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "non-emergency services," "dispatch police," "medical dispatch," and "multi-line phone system."
In general, 911 operators achieve similar levels of education than police dispatchers. They're 0.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Police dispatcher vs. 911 telecommunicator
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 dispatcher resumes include skills like "patrol," "two-way radio," "criminal history," and "data entry," whereas a 911 telecommunicator is more likely to list skills in "medical dispatch," "non-emergency telephone calls," "emergency situations," and "medical services. "
Most 911 telecommunicators achieve a similar degree level compared to police dispatchers. For example, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Police dispatcher vs. Telecommunication operator
Types of police dispatcher
Updated January 8, 2025
