Receive complaints from public concerning crimes and police emergencies. Broadcast orders to police patrol units in vicinity of complaint to investigate. Operate radio, telephone, or computer equipment to receive reports of fires and medical emergencies and relay information or orders to proper officials.

Other names for Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers: 911 Dispatcher, 911 Emergency Dispatcher, 911 Emergency Services Dispatcher, 911 Operator, 911 Operator (Nine One One Operator), 911 Public Safety Dispatcher, 911 Telecommunicator, Alarm Operator, Call Person, Call Taker, Communications Officer, Communications Operator, Communications Specialist, Communications Supervisor, Dispatch Manager, Dispatcher, Electronic Telecommunication Dispatcher (ETD), Emergency Communications Dispatcher, Emergency Communications Officer (ECO), Emergency Communications Operator (ECO), Emergency Communications Technician, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Emergency Operator, Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher (ETD), Fire Dispatcher, Fire Fighters Dispatcher, Forest Fire Fighters Dispatcher, Law Enforcement Technician, Medical Dispatcher, Patrol Telecommunicator, Police Communications Dispatcher, Police Communications Operator, Police Dispatcher, Police Radio Dispatcher, Protective Signal Operator, Public Safety Dispatcher, Public Safety Telecommunicator, Radio Dispatcher, Telecommunications Specialist, Telecommunicator,

• Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
• Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
• Question callers to determine their locations, and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
• Enter, update, and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles.
• Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
• Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
• Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information and after hours calls for departments within a city.
• Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
• Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area.
• Maintain files of information relating to emergency calls such as personnel rosters, and emergency call-out and pager files.
• Monitor various radio frequencies such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense to keep apprised of developing situations.
• Learn material and pass required tests for certification.
• Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.
• Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies.
• Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
• Monitor alarm systems to detect emergencies such as fires and illegal entry into establishments.
• Test and adjust communication and alarm systems, and report malfunctions to maintenance units.
• Operate and maintain mobile dispatch vehicles and equipment.

• Automatic call distributor ACD
• Two way radios
• Desktop computers
• Conversation recording units
• Intercom systems
• Mainframe computers
• Mainframe console or dumb terminals
• Notebook computers
• Special purpose telephones
• Personal computers
• Radio frequency scanners
• Premise branch exchange PBX systems
• Telecommunication devices TDD or teletypewriters TTY for the physically challenged
• Teletype input devices
• Two way radios

Helpdesk or call center software

Word processing software

Data base user interface and query software

Internet browser software