Police dispatchers take emergency calls, instruct callers with help, and send out emergency vehicles and personnel. Requirements for police dispatchers vary, as a high school diploma and on-the-job training is needed in some states, while completion of a certificate or certification program is required in others.
Police Dispatcher Requirements and Job Duties
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Police dispatchers make up the first line of communication for police and emergency services. Dispatchers monitor emergency phone calls, send out appropriate emergency vehicles, and provide accurate contact information for police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. Employers often train new hires, but many employers prefer applicants who have completed a dispatcher certificate or certification program.
| Required Education | Varies; some employers will train hires with high school diplomas, while others prefer candidates who have completed public safety or secretarial postsecondary coursework |
| Other Requirements | Some states require certification through an organization such as the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch or other training |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 6% for police, fire and ambulance dispatchers |
| Median Salary (2019)* | $41,910 for police, fire and ambulance dispatchers |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Educational Requirements for a Police Dispatcher
The BLS indicated that employers may favor applicants who have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some states may have additional education requirements, such as completing postsecondary coursework related to public safety or secretarial work. Other states may not have a minimum educational requirement, but they may require applicants to pass standardized tests in order to prove reading, writing, verbal, and problem-solving skills.
Required Skills and Background Check
The requirements for police dispatchers include excellent communication skills. Since dispatchers talk to people who are in dire situations that often have life or death consequences, they must be able to ask appropriate questions to gather crucial information needed to respond effectively. They must also be able to deal with people who are not at their best and who may be hostile or extremely frightened. Police dispatchers must understand the operation of various telecommunication systems that are used to send information from incoming calls to the front-line professionals who will respond.
A thorough background check is generally required for all aspiring police dispatchers. A history of criminal activity, illegal drug use or addiction, alcoholism or a poor driving record can all disqualify someone from being eligible for the job. Those who do the investigating may even speak to personal relatives and friends or, if the candidate is divorced, to the ex-spouse. The candidate's employment history is also important.
Police Dispatcher Training Programs
Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that police dispatchers usually receive on-the-job training from experienced dispatchers, there are other training options available. For instance, individuals may choose to enroll in an emergency services dispatcher certificate program, which usually takes one year to complete. While not required, individuals may also enroll in an associate's degree program in public safety services.
Emergency services dispatcher certificate programs teach students how to talk with emergency victims. As such, police dispatcher coursework generally includes suicide intervention, customer service care, crisis intervention and stress management. Since dispatchers often instruct 911 callers to perform basic lifesaving techniques until help arrives, they may receive training to help callers perform rescue techniques, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Many certificate programs also include criminal justice courses, such as criminal and civil law, domestic violence and law enforcement strategies.
Certification Programs for a Police Dispatcher
States may require dispatchers to become certified through a nationally recognized trade organization, such as the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch, prior to employment. Police dispatcher certification programs usually involve applicants passing a test to prove knowledge in a particular field. Some certification programs also require applicants to participate in training workshops before taking final exams. Passing an emergency services dispatch certificate program may also qualify individuals to sit for certification exams.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Police Dispatcher
The pros of being a police dispatcher:
- Police dispatcher training can provide remarkable insight into today's world and can be the start of a very rewarding career.
- It does not require years of education, and it is a way of empowering those who participate in it to make a difference in peoples' lives.
- It is usually a very stable job that is seldom boring. It involves meeting new people and learning insightful, sophisticated ways of handling emergency situations.
The cons of being a police dispatcher:
- Police dispatchers must be able to sit for long periods of time and give uninterrupted attention to callers.
- Viewing the computer screens may lead to eye strain and fatigue.
- The hours may be demanding in that they are often long and may involve shift work.
- The work is very stressful at times, and dispatchers may sometimes face situations in which they feel helpless or in which help does not arrive quickly enough.
- Dispatchers must be able to remain calm and objective when they sometimes want to scream.
- The salary is relatively low when compared to many other professions.
Police Dispatcher Career Outlook and Salary Information
The BLS predicts a 6% growth in the field of police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers between 2019 and 2029. The BLS also reported that the median annual salary for dispatchers in these three disciplines was $41,910 as of May 2019. However, other sources post a median salary for police dispatchers of around $32,000. This figure varies by location, such as city or state, as well as by experience and education.
