Police Dispatcher (Lateral)

Westminster, CA
Westminster Police Department

Salary: $60,816.00 – $85,572.00 Annually

Position Summary:

Under general supervision, receives police and emergency calls, and dispatches Police units following prescribed procedures; answers non-emergency calls for public safety and other City departments; performs a variety of general administrative support duties including record keeping, typing, and filing; and performs related work as required.

Essential Functions:

  • Receives and evaluates police and emergency calls, and related business calls for the City during an assigned portion of the 24-hours-per-day/7-days-per-week Police Department operations; provides information and/or transfers calls to the appropriate department, agency, or response organization; takes messages for Police Department personnel.
  • Dispatches public safety emergency units in accordance with established procedures and policies using a computerized dispatch system, including determining priority of emergency and contacting and sending appropriate response unit.
  • Maintains contact with field units, including accounting for location and status of units and maintaining records of field calls; sends back-up units, as necessary, ensuring the safety of field units.
  • Operates computer, telephone, and radio console and telecommunication equipment simultaneously while performing dispatching activities; tests and inspects equipment as assigned.
  • Logs call data in a written or automated format; monitors calls after initial dispatch to provide additional coordination, support, or information.
  • Enters, updates, and retrieves a variety of records from teletype database, including stolen vehicles and property, vehicle registration information, guns and property, and warranted or missing persons.
  • Accesses Federal, State, and local law enforcement information databases to obtain information regarding outstanding warrants, criminal history, records information, and vehicle data; relays such information to sworn staff.
  • Acts as a liaison to the public and representatives of other agencies for the department; provides initial non-emergency contact with the public and representatives of other agencies for the requesting of police records or related services; determines the nature of the contact; provides factual information regarding services, policies, and procedures, which requires knowledge of legal guidelines, departmental policies and procedures, and the use of tact and discretion, or directs the caller to the proper individual or agency.
  • Maintains accurate departmental and law enforcement records and files; researches and compiles information from such files.
  • Attends necessary training, shift briefing sessions, participates in drills, and test scenarios to prepare for unexpected emergencies.
  • May act as a Communications Training Officer (CTO) to orient and train newly hired dispatchers.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and one (1) year of general clerical experience involving public contact.
  • Incumbents must be able to type at least 35 words per minute.
  • Must be currently employed and have successfully completed probation as a Public Safety Dispatcher with a California law enforcement agency or have one full year of Dispatcher experience within the last four years.
  • Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
  • Possession of, ability to obtain, or completion of P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatcher course within one year of appointment.
  • Twenty-four (24) hours of Continuous Professional Training (CPT) required every two (2) years.