About to apply for a police dispatch posistion. Any advice in what to expect?

[maroonandwhite]

As stated above I will be applying for a police dispatch position and am hoping to get some advice on what to expect should I get an interview and some extra information on the possible job duties itself. I have researched it online and have the general idea but it never hurts to ask.

I do have experience in the dispatch field from the trucking business. Thanks!

[DaveTN]

I made the mistake of going to a LEADS school and would have to fill in for dispatchers if they were off sick. Highest stress job I have ever did as a cop. Technology may have changed it a lot since then but knowing what’s going on all the time and keeping track of a bunch of cops is pretty stressful; good luck.

I would think being able to remain calm but still act quickly in an emergency would be the most important qualification they would be looking for.

Edited August 15, 2012 by DaveTN

[maroonandwhite]

Yeah that's the gist of what I got online. I'm young though and should be able to handle it. I haven't even turned in the app yet though and am just hoping for an interview. Anyone know what to expect if I do get called for one? I know they will do a thorough background check and actually call all of my references.

[MattCary]

Actually Dave, knowing what was going on all the time was the best part.

It is very stressful and fast paced. You'll need to demonstrate the ability to read and comprehend a map, and give good directions, in addition to multitasking and thinking on your feet.

Obviously, you'll need to demonstrate an ability to speak clearly on the radio, and, probably the most difficult part: comprehend everyone else on the radio.

If you or a friend have a scanner, you can listen to exactly what the "on air" portion of the job sounds like in your county.

[maroonandwhite]

I never thought of getting a scanner. I contemplated having one in mu truck but thought it too mall ninja'ish. Thanks for the tip!

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[TripleDigitRide]

There are free scanner apps that you can download to your smartphone. I've tried a couple, but the audio quality was less than stellar.

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[tnhawk]

Many of the city and county police frequencies can be listened to on the internet.

[maroonandwhite]

So I go today for the second round of testing. I am not sure the department uses the "Criticall" software for testing but I suspect they do. Can anyone offer any information as to what to expect? I am confident that I won't have any trouble but it never hurts to have an edge.

[vontar]

Best advise I would suggest would be get a police scanner and listen to them. That will give you an idea of the radio part, but you can image other job duties, Answering phones, doing back ground checks, checking warrants, coordinating with other departments, Fire, EMS, electric, gas, water. I hate to say it but that is not a job I would want. I find Tech support high enough Stress.

[Guest CCI]

Any advice in what to expect?

According to my wife: common sense, retention, and following directions! She was a police department dispatcher in Calif., for 15 years.

[maroonandwhite]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I did well on the test. We will see!

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[Gun Smith]

As for advice, don't do like my nephew. He was in the process of applying and interviewing with a local PD. When they did a background check on him they discovered there was a warrant for his arrest. They arrested him at the interview. Come to find out, girl he had previously dated he taken out a warrant on him for assault, which was not true. She was just ticked off after a heated argument. All that to say, you might want to make sure your record is clean.