Police Communications Officer I – SR-17

Hilo, HI
County Sheriff of Hawai`i Police Department

Salary: $52,908.00 Annually.

Position Summary:

Under direct supervision, receives formal and structured on-the-job training in the methods and procedures of police communications and dispatching operations including call taking and dispatching uniformed personnel utilizing a specialized work station of emergency 911 communications equipment and a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system in a central police communications operation; and performs other related duties as required.

Essential Functions:

  • Receives formal and on-the-job training on the basic functions and missions of the Hawai’i County Police Department and police communications operations.
  • Actively participates in a Call Taker and Dispatcher Training Program under direct supervision to perform the full range of emergency communication duties in the Police Communications Center.
  • Learns and becomes proficient in operating a specialized workstation comprised of a 911-telephone system, departmental telephone system and geographical mapping system to answer, triage and process 911-voice and text calls from the public for emergency and non-emergency police assistance.
  • Utilizes the Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) application of the telephone system to communicate with deaf and/or speech impaired individuals. Facilitates language interpretation between non-English speaking callers and interpreters.
  • Interacts with callers who may be injured, distressed, distraught, emotional and/or belligerent. Maintains professional decorum when interacting with callers and attempts to calm distressed citizens during call taking to ensure effective communications.
  • Performs call taking and dispatching duties simultaneously when call volume exceeds staffing levels within the emergency dispatch center.
  • Gathers information from the caller to ensure officer and public safety; classifies, codes and prioritizes cases correctly; inputs data in the appropriate fields; adjusts to varying types of calls for police assistance; maintains control of the conversations and makes sound decisions during life-threatening situations.
  • Utilizes knowledge of police jurisdictions and geography of the island of Hawai’i.
  • Multi-tasks while communicating clearly, calmly, and efficiently, with the public, departmental personnel, and government agencies while simultaneously using a computer, telephone and various law enforcement databases.
  • Receives requests via telephone from officers and field personnel; processes status updates, case dispositions; and relays pertinent case information.
  • Accurately interprets and communicates critical public safety data from various departmental, county, state and national computer terminals to include but not limited to wanted persons, stolen property, criminal history, and motor vehicle registration and replies to inquiries when required.
  • Inputs and updates information in the law enforcement files for stolen, wanted or overdue vehicles, legally towed vehicles, stolen or lost license plates, escapees, missing persons, runaway juveniles and other law enforcement information. Maintains and updates various record keeping logs.
  • Notifies supervisor of noteworthy incidents, natural or man-made disaster situations, road closures and incidents involving HPD personnel.
  • Utilizes a variety of reference materials, computer systems and files to assist officers in their work.
  • Testifies in court and presents evidence in criminal proceedings, as required.
  • In the event of system failures, implements various manual and emergency back-up procedures to ensure continuity of operations.
  • Adheres to and applies county, departmental and divisional policies, procedures and training manuals that serve as a guide to operations of the Police Communications Dispatch Center.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • Graduation from high school, and
  • Two (2) years of work experience involving dispatching or public contact which shall have included providing information, answering questions and inquiries, and/or explaining policies, rules and regulations in person or by telephone.
  • Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.