Police Dispatcher III

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Receives and responds to emergency and non-emergency calls including enhanced 911 and non-emergency calls from the public.
• Processes and evaluates information received, prioritizes calls, and dispatches appropriate units.
• Relays pertinent information in a factual and concise manner; relays instructions or inquiries from remote units.
• Monitors and coordinates public safety personnel activity and assignments via police radio.
• Monitors and enters statuses, locations, and activity of public safety personnel on a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system.
• Monitors security cameras, fire and intrusion alarms and dispatches accordingly.
• Operates computer terminal to make inquiries into computerized databases to retrieve motor vehicle information and other criminal record files, as requested, following prescribed policies and procedures.
• Enters data from officer reports into criminal information system on computer.
• Accesses, enters, and maintains sensitive data in local/state/national databases as necessary for investigative purposes.
• Monitors teletype messages and relays important information to officers.
• Utilizes technology such as computers, radio systems, telephones, fax machines, and other communication equipment to complete job tasks.
• Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.
• Keeps informed of departmental regulations, policies, and procedures.
• May assist in providing on-the-job training for Police Radio Dispatchers and submit progress reports and evaluations on trainees.
• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance.
• Obtains complete and accurate information and quickly disseminates information, both in typewritten and verbal form; copies down long sequences of numbers or addresses; may be required to keep handwritten detailed logs of work at a quick pace.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of applicable State and Federal statutes, rules, ordinances, codes, regulations, governing dispatching.
• Knowledge of Department policies and procedures.
• Skill in determining priorities and handling high-pressure situations.
• Skill in observing situations analytically and objectively and recording them clearly and completely.
• Skill in communicating clearly and concisely and relaying details accurately.
• Skill in written communication.
• Skill in handling a high volume of telephone calls.
• Skill in typing with high accuracy.
• Skill in quick decision-making during emergency situations.
• Skill in assessing, analyzing, identifying, and implementing solutions to complex problems.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skill in handling situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and impartially.
• Skill in recalling numerous details and essential information.
• Skill in operating radio, telephone, keyboard, computer terminal, and related communications equipment.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to create and maintain manual and automated logs and other records of public safety communications activities.
• Ability to read and interpret maps to determine locations.