How was your experience working as a police dispatcher?

Hi Katia,

Dispatch is a very rewarding job and a wonderful service to your community. It takes a very special personality type to be a successful dispatcher...you are often encountering individuals on the worst day of their lives and you are the first person they reach out to for guidance and help. It's crucial that you are able to think fast and clearly when you answer that call and respond with clarity and compassion. They may be upset or hysterical and can't put thoughts into the words you need from them. You have to have patience and the ability to multitask by listening and responding at the same time. This means it's imperative that you can stay calm when a caller needs you to be their rock and guide them through this difficult time. These skills can be learned but you probably already have a pretty good idea if dispatching is the right job for you. If not, ask your friends and family if you possess these skills (they would know better than anyone). If you do feel that it's a right fit, reach out to your local police department and ask if you can shadow a dispatcher to get a feel for the job. Good luck