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.

Requirements

• Attend each class and miss no more than six hours.
• Achieve an overall score of at least 80%
• Participate in learning activities and a variety of simulations.
  
  

Course Start Dates

The P.O.S.T. 9-1-1 Dispatcher Course is offered three times per year. For students who are not yet hired as a Dispatcher, we recommend the evening extended format that begins each August and January. For students who are hired by a law enforcement agency and already working as a Dispatcher, we recommend the intensive format. For more information about specific start dates for these classes, click here to review the schedule of classes.

Students may now register for this course using the normal college registration process.  This can be done entirely online.  Students who are not currently enrolled at Napa Valley College or who have not taken classes at the college in the last three years must complete an admissions application.  Students may also register for this class in person at the College Office of Admissions and Records.

Download A Program Brochure

Napa Valley College is proud to be the first college in California to recognize public safety dispatching as a profession by offering an academic certificate program specifically for 9-1-1 dispatchers.  The program includes 18 units of concentrated study in law enforcement dispatching.  The core course required for the certificate is the Basic Dispatch Course (CJT296) and Community Policing (ADMJ123).  In addition, students may meet the program requirements as follows.

A total of 6 units is required from the following

            ADMJ 121 Introduction to Law 3 units

            ADMJ 122 Criminal Procedures 3 units

            CJT 302 Advanced Law Enforcement Skills -  .5 to 4 units

A total of 3 units is required from the following

            CISA 170 Keyboarding 1 1 to 3 units

            COMS 110 Introduction to Microcomputers 3 units

            CISA 160 Beginning Database 3 units

            CISA 165 Beginning Spreadsheets 3 units

            CISA 186 Beginning Word Processing 3 units

A total of 1-2 units of physical education (any of the courses listed in the catalog) is required.

Students who have already completed a P.O.S.T. certified Basic Dispatch Course (at least 120hrs in length)  at another college may use that course to meet the requirements for a certificate.  Certificate applications are available at the Criminal Justice Training Center.