To become a police dispatcher, contact local police or sheriff’s office, have a high school diploma, and consider side careers such as fire department or ambulance dispatcher. The application process is time-consuming, and previous experience in a call center is beneficial. The job is highly stressful and emotionally challenging.
To become a police dispatcher, a person must contact their local police or sheriff’s office to inquire about openings as an operator or dispatcher. This will allow the candidate to know the possible positions available, as well as request the necessary documents and forms to start the application process. While a college degree is not required to become a police dispatcher, a high school diploma is almost always required, and having an associate’s degree in an area such as criminal law or police science would certainly be beneficial to an applicant. Actual skills and experience are often more important to 911 dispatchers than any specific educational background.
Someone who wants to become a police dispatcher should also consider side careers such as being a fire department or ambulance dispatcher. These other careers would give someone real-world experience very similar to being a police dispatcher and would give them an edge against other applicants, which could be especially helpful in areas with more competition for dispatcher jobs. As some smaller areas may only need one or two police dispatchers, this can also allow someone to start working in a related field while waiting for an opening as a police dispatcher. Larger metro areas generally have more openings as more dispatchers are needed to handle the higher number of incoming calls and moving to a location like this might be something anyone wanting to become a police dispatcher should consider.
The application process to become a police dispatcher can be quite time consuming and any candidate looking into the field should consider this fact. While the specific process varies by location, there is typically a written application and psychiatric evaluation of any applicant. Background checks are also generally mandatory, and anyone looking to become a police dispatcher should consider what can be found in that background check. Previous experience in a call center is also usually a benefit for any candidate.
Police dispatch is a highly stressful job that requires the ability to multitask and coordinate the needs of different people simultaneously. Being a 911 operator can also include some pretty brutal emotional moments. Anyone wanting to become a police dispatcher should be sure they can handle the reality of listening to people on the phone who may be panicked, injured, witnessing a crime, or victims of violent crimes. While this shouldn’t dissuade someone with the mental and emotional strength necessary to undertake this work, the reality of the work should be recognized by any potential candidate.
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