By Terra Avilla
In the category of ‘unsung heroes’ our Dispatchers are pretty much the kings and queens. Don’t get me wrong, I truly and wholeheartedly appreciate all of the love we as police are given, but our dispatchers never, ever really receive any of the limelight, and they do so much to keep us safe.
They are the first voices anyone with an emergency hears and often, just like the first responders, they need to make split second decisions that affect lives.
Responding on-scene, I can tell you how difficult it is to obtain important information, let alone over the telephone.
Dispatchers experience all of the trauma that we as police endure, without ever getting the kudos after the call. They are on the line with the woman whose husband is not breathing, or whose child is missing. They are the ones that are attentively listening to the background after someone dials “911” but doesn’t speak.
I have literally had dispatchers be able to give me more information on the facts of a call than the caller themselves because of all the “digging” and intel gathers our dispatchers do.
Our dispatchers (Tracy and Angela are the two lucky ones currently assigned to my shift) ensure that the day runs as smoothly and safely as possible. All while still being friendly and funny.
Dispatchers, although they may not be sworn, are pretty keen when it comes to the job we as police do. There have been more times than I can count that their knowledge of criminal procedure has helped me immensely on finishing my calls for service.
As on Officer I can tell you that many of the dispatchers are just amazing human beings, who genuinely care about this community.
Yvette Proffer, one of my longtime friends, is about as sweet as they can come. I remember one time I was in a foot pursuit and my radio wasn’t working correctly. Yvette called me after and was genuinely worried that I was all right and had all of the incoming resources I need. They want to catch the bad guys, and they want to help those who need it.
But it’s not just Yvette. It’s all of them that work at the dispatch center. All of these people are incredibly dedicated workers whose main job is to make sure the caller gets the help they need and the officer or deputy gets to go home.
They work twenty-four seven, seven days a week, helping protect our community, and ensuring it remains one of the reasons I love the place we live.
