Police Dispatcher

General Summary

Receive and dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls and alarms for police officers and other emergency personnel. Maintain a safety link between the department, officers, and the University community. EMU Dispatch is a single position primary public safety answering point (receives all 911 calls) for the University community.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Dispatch and deploy police officers and emergency personnel.
• Communicate to emergency personnel data received regarding emergency and non-emergency inquiries from citizens; provide backup data regarding necessary information received from the inquiry; route information to the correct source.
• Answer and respond to all calls that come into the Police Department's three (3) non-emergency lines and two (2) 911 lines; answer all calls to EMU when the main switchboard is closed; and answer after-hours parking and Physical Plant emergency/maintenance calls.
• Operate two (2) radio systems (one an 800 MHz county-wide radio system and the other a VHF radio system monitoring three (3) frequencies); in addition to five (5) computer systems, a paging system, and a tornado/emergency siren.Monitor and respond to parking and Physical Plant radios.
• Monitor Ypsilanti City Police and Washtenaw County sheriff radio traffic for information that might involve EMU.
• Operate and monitor support information system such as LEIN (Law Enforcement Information Network), NCIC (National Crime Information Center), NLETS (National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System).
• Enter all EMU felony warrants, PPO (personal protection orders), and Breathalyzer results in the LEIN computer system.
• Audit all EMU warrants in the LEIN computer system.
• Enter information onto the support systems to assist officers in gathering information.
• Retrieve information from Banner as requested by sworn personnel so as to assist with investigations.
• Monitor, evaluate and dispatch the appropriate response to more than 500 emergency alarms and items of surveillance equipment as installed in the dispatch area.
• Retrieve CCTV images as requested by police personnel.
• Sell overnight guest parking permits, hand out internet ordered parking permits, and accepts payment for impounded vehicles due to parking tickets.
• Respond to citizens' general inquiries on the phone or at the front desk.
• Monitor location and activities of parking enforcers and student support staff for Parking and SEEUS; monitor and respond to contracted security guards, when needed.
• Perform related departmental duties, as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Ability to read, write, interpret instructions and perform basic arithmetic.

The Completion of a high school education is necessary.

Data entry experience with the ability to search for information and records using a computer system and by manual means is necessary.

Ability to exercise good judgment, speak in a clear manner in order to communicate on a radio system, and to listen and transcribe correctly (verbally and in writing) the exact information received.

The ability to apply police protocol, utilize sound judgment skills, act quickly and accurately, and maintain a calm manner in stressful and emergency situations is necessary.

Ability to multi-task and monitor simultaneous visual, manual, and hearing mechanical devices is necessary.

Applicants must successfully pass a clerical test*, an oral review, a criminal records background check, and a law enforcement background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications:

College coursework or an Associate's degree is desirable.

Experience with Microsoft Office is desirable.

One-year prior experience as a dispatcher for a public safety agency, taxi cab service, an ambulance company, or delivery service is desirable.

General knowledge of EMU is desirable.

Strong customer service skills are desirable.

A specific typing speed may be required depending on department needs and will be noted at time of posting.

Special Instructions:

There are currently two openings for this position.