Police Dispatch Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two years of work experience in a heavy-traffic, high-demand customer-interface call environment, including at least two years in general dispatch or public safety/emergency communications dispatch.
• Must obtain NCIC/TCIC/CJIS certification during probation and renew it annually.
• Must obtain a Basic Telecommunicator License from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement during probation.
• Must obtain an Emergency Police Dispatch Certificate.
• Must obtain an Expediter/Service Desk Personnel License.
• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must pass an intensive background investigation and drug test.
• Must have no felony or Class A misdemeanor convictions and no current felony, Class A, or Class B misdemeanor deferred adjudication.
• Must have no Class B misdemeanor convictions within the last ten years and no family violence convictions.
• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly verbally, in writing, and through electronic devices.
• Thorough knowledge of the geographic layout of the City of Dallas.
• Ability to handle stress, remain calm, and respond effectively in high-pressure situations involving emergency and non-emergency communications.
• Ability to handle several emergency situations simultaneously and make quick, sound decisions using analysis, judgment, and experience.
• Ability to remain alert during working hours and sit for long periods.
• Ability to create and maintain a positive working environment and establish effective working relationships with peers and partners.
• Skill in making recommendations to drive improvements.
• Ability to read and analyze reports, extract relevant information from different sources, and apply it to critical situations.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning confidentiality.
• Ability to multitask and manage changing problems in a fast-paced, multi-skill team environment.
• Ability to defuse escalated situations.
• Excellent time-management and multitasking skills.
• Detail-oriented ability to determine facts and document them accurately and concisely.
• Good analytical skills and ability to think strategically.
• Active listening skills, including understanding callers, identifying key points, and asking relevant questions diplomatically without interrupting.
• Availability to work varying shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Responsibilities

• Determine the significance of calls and assign the appropriate level of police resources.
• Collaborate with department supervisors to monitor and control police officer responses.
• Operate the Computer Aided Dispatch System and other computer terminals.
• Monitor the location and status of police officers on patrol.
• Analyze information and assign, broadcast, and monitor police calls according to the emergency and departmental policy.
• Maintain field-unit status and update dispatch information using emergency communications technologies.
• Share police-related information promptly with other police divisions and agencies.
• Inform field officers of major incidents, hazards, and locations relevant to the safety of citizens and first responders.
• Operate emergency communications hardware, software, computer terminals, technologies, and radio console equipment to dispatch officers throughout the shift.
• Coordinate with police personnel to process requests and information promptly and provide real-time incident updates to first responders.
• Use local, state, and national law enforcement databases to provide updated critical information to first responders.
• Analyze response plans, establish quadrants, coordinate with patrol and specialized field units such as K-9, Air1, and SWAT, and assess resources needed at incident scenes.
• Support field troops as needed and interpret information to help keep citizens and officers safe.
• Remain calm in high-stress situations and read, navigate, and interpret mapping applications.
• Report to work during inclement weather and when additional coverage is required for 24/7/365 operations.
• Perform other work as needed or assigned.