| What is a 9-1-1 Dispatcher?
9-1-1 Dispatchers, also known as Police Dispatcher, Public Safety
Dispatcher, Communications Technician and other similar names, are typically employees of
a municipal Police Department or County Sheriff's Department. Dispatchers are civilian
employees of the Department who answer 9-1-1 emergency calls for police, fire and medical
assistance. Dispatchers work shift work, seven days a week including weekends and
holidays. The job is extremely challenging and can be very rewarding. There is tremendous
career potential for talented Dispatchers in California.
The Basic Dispatch Course
All Dispatcher training is certified by the Commission on Peace Officer
Standards and Training. Dispatchers in California must complete the Basic Dispatch Course
within the first twelve months of employment. The Criminal Justice Training Center offers
this course to those students interested in pursuing a career as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher.
Completing this course is an excellent way to explore the career and to learn more about
this exciting job.
This course is coordinated by Kim Current and Jenny Alberigi who are both veteran Dispatchers and P.O.S.T. Master Instructors. They
are joined by a team of working Dispatchers and Dispatch supervisors from
local law enforcement agencies. Students will learn about criminal
law, professionalism and ethics, emergency telephone answering techniques,
radio dispatching, radio codes, critical incidents, stress management,
community policing and relations, and much more. Students will tour local law enforcement 9-1-1
Dispatch Centers and will participate in a series of simulations in order to
learn about the role of the Dispatcher in law enforcement and related
emergency services.
This is a highly interactive class requiring full
participation. The class is 132 hours scheduled over eighteen
weeks. Students must attend each session of the course to receive
credit and certification. Some outside reading and study is required.
Graduates receive a certificate of completion.
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