Communications / Dispatch

The Dispatcher answers emergency and non-emergency calls for service. In addition, Dispatchers answer after hours emergency calls for Animal Control, Electric, Water and Street Departments. The Dispatcher is also responsible for sending appropriate assistance to the citizens and tracking the activity of the field units.

To best serve the public, we ask that you use the 9-1-1 emergency line only when there is an immediate risk to life or property. If you dial 9-1-1 by mistake, don't hang up! Stay on the phone and tell the Dispatcher you called by mistake. Every time a Dispatcher receives a 9-1-1 "hang-up" the caller must be contacted to ascertain if an emergency exists, this may include a Police Officer being sent to the caller's location. When you dial 9-1-1 your call is automatically forwarded even if you hang up before it rings. The caller's address and phone number shows on a computer screen for each 9-1-1 call received, excluding cellular phone calls.

Calls for service are prioritized when they are received. Priority calls are dispatched before non-priority calls even if the non-priority calls were received first. First priority calls are in-progress or just occurred threats to human life. Second priority calls are in-progress or just occurred threats to property.

In order to help prioritize your call and to provide the responding Officers with information they need, every caller is asked a standard set of questions. The Dispatcher will need to know:

• Name, address, and phone number of person calling
• Where the problem is occurring.
• What the problem is.
• The Dispatcher will need a basic description of what occurred, and if applicable:
• When the incident occurred,
• Description of suspect(s), including race and clothing
• If a weapon was involved and what type,
• Description of vehicle involved and what direction it left

If you are calling to report a crime that has occurred in the past, or to ask a question, please call the non-emergency number (518) 630-0911.