PoliceLink

I am currently applying for a job as a Dispatcher with the Georgia State Patrol. I know there is people on PoliceLink that have done it for years, some decades, and I was wondering what is the best advice can you give to me and other people who are applying or are currently dispatchers?

Thanks for the advice.

That one thing you think couldn't happen....will. Always expect the unexpected.

So far, I've learned to do status checks on my officers after about 5 minutes if they're out on a call and haven't come across the radio. Definitely never more than 10 minutes. Ever.

Anddd...write things down. Don't ever ever EVER go by memory.

And even though sometimes people think you're a little on the idiotic side, never hesitate to ask someone to repeat something. Better to ask than to not catch something, because every little bit of information could be crucial to officer safety...or even victim safety.

Also...you gotta have a good sense of humor for this job. And you gotta just let some stuff roll off your back. I don't know about where you are, but MY officers HERE have days when they just wanna be jackasses and will purposely push my buttons. So you gotta remember to just not take anything personally.

One last thing...memorize your tag number. That's right...your tag number. On your vehicle. One day, an officer is gonna get bored, and he's gonna come across that radio with a tag for you to query, and it's gonna be yours. Be ready so you don't read it back to him... You can just go across the radio with, "(Officer number here), if that vehicle isn't up front here, then it needs to be reported stolen." lol

I was a dispatcher for over 2 years there are a couple things that will save you and make you love your job

1st.  Keep a paper trail for everything

2nd. Know where your officers are at all times if you don't ASK!!!!

3rd.  Dont be scared to ask an officer to repeat his location or tag info for it could save his/her life.

4th.  Get to know your officers it will make both or your jobs alot easier.   

Patience...be patient with officers in the field. The dispatchers in my agency are also the corrections deputies and records divsion.

Thank you all for your information. If you have anymore please keep them coming.

I'd have to ask first of all is this something that you are willing to change your life for? You will have to work shifts, holidays and weekends and at times family time may be at a minimum. If your feelings are hurt easily, this job isn't for you. If you don't like stress, this job isn't for you. If you don't like to follow rules and/or chain of command, this job isn't for you. Go to your local law enforcement agency and ask them if you can sit in dispatch (a sit-along LOL) and observe for a shift, day shift would probably be the busiest. The officer's safety is paramount in this job and you HAVE to be able to do twenty thousand things at once.

I've been a Dispatcher / 911 Operator for over 5 years and I love my job and I can't see myself doing anything else ~ luckily I'm only 13 years away from retirement!! LOL  Anyway, check it out with your local agency and go from there. Like they say, "one man's trash is another one's treasure" some people's idea of this job is WAY different than others!! GOOD LUCK!!

~Sue

PGPD911 says ...

I'd have to ask first of all is this something that you are willing to change your life for? You will have to work shifts, holidays and weekends and at times family time may be at a minimum. If your feelings are hurt easily, this job isn't for you. If you don't like stress, this job isn't for you. If you don't like to follow rules and/or chain of command, this job isn't for you. Go to your local law enforcement agency and ask them if you can sit in dispatch (a sit-along LOL) and observe for a shift, day shift would probably be the busiest. The officer's safety is paramount in this job and you HAVE to be able to do twenty thousand things at once.

I've been a Dispatcher / 911 Operator for over 5 years and I love my job and I can't see myself doing anything else ~ luckily I'm only 13 years away from retirement!! LOL  Anyway, check it out with your local agency and go from there. Like they say, "one man's trash is another one's treasure" some people's idea of this job is WAY different than others!! GOOD LUCK!!

~Sue

I am willing to change my life for it. I know i will work shifts, holidays, etc. I am very good with following orders and with stress and my feelings aren't hurt easily. So I think i can handle it. Thanks on the luck.

Puffinbarger says ...

I was a dispatcher for over 2 years there are a couple things that will save you and make you love your job

1st.  Keep a paper trail for everything

2nd. Know where your officers are at all times if you don't ASK!!!!

3rd.  Dont be scared to ask an officer to repeat his location or tag info for it could save his/her life.

4th.  Get to know your officers it will make both or your jobs alot easier.   

Excellent points from Puffinbarger and if I may add a few of my own ...

             5th   To a chatty coworker..... " Please understand I am new and need to keep all my concentration on my console....once I get experienced like you I know I will be able to do other things.  Thanks for understanding."

             6th   To your regular patrol officers....ask them what is important to them when you talk to them... you will gain valuable knowledge from their experience and show them you care about their input.

             7th   If they are on 7 ( lunch ) give them some space...sometimes they need a little decrompression  time.

              8th  Try not to get involved with office gossip and drama ...its funny on tv but a real morale killer at work.

             9th    Be on time ( early ) ..be prepared...leave your home problems at home ...be friendly but professional...

           10th   If you can help someone ( and protocol allows )  first offer....some people get defensive ( who asked you ? )

           11th   Always be willing to learn ...from courses or classes offered in house...from supervisors ( its their job to help you know )...from approved outside sources and organizations....from trusted co-workers

           12th   Never think you know it all ....be open to changes in policy and procedures and give them an honest try

IVE BEEN AT THIS NOW FOR 8 YEARS. AND IVE WORKED AT A COUPLE DIFFERENT AGENCIES.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO BE ALERT.  IF THERE IS A DAY THAT YOU DONT FEEL SO ALERT TAKE A LOW KEY CHANNEL. ITS BETTER TO BE ABLE TO SAY IM HAVING A ROUGH DAY THEN TAKE A CHANCE YOU MISS SOMETHING IMPORTANT.

ALWAYS REMEMBER ITS OK TO LAUGH!!! PEOPLE ARE SILLY AND PEOPLE ARE MEAN. SO LAUGH IT OFF!!!  EXAMPLE.. THE GUY THAT JUST GOT HIS HAND STUCK IN THE DRAWER AT THE DRIVE UP BANK WINDOW. SEE THATS FUNNY STUFF. !!!!

AS FAR AS CITIZENS GO REMEMBER JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE HEARD SOMETHING 500 TIMES IN A DAY, IT IS PROBABLY THEIR FIRST TIME CALLING AND ITS A BIG DEAL TO THEM.. REMEMBER TO TREAT THEM HOW YOU WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED WHEN YOU CALLED IN.

Well I got the Job. I start November 16th. Thanks for all your advice. It was greatly appreciated and will be put to good use.

congrats