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.

• Alarm Operator
• Dispatcher, Radio
• Protective-Signal Operator
• Telecommunicator

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

• communicate details in protective services settings
• coordinate emergency requests or response units
• determine response needed to dispatch to emergency
• ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
• evaluate importance of incoming telephone calls
• follow law enforcement methods or procedures
• follow police or emergency radio regulations
• maintain telephone logs
• make decisions
• manage detailed records or files in law enforcement setting
• monitor alarm system to detect fires or other emergencies
• operate telecommunications equipment in law enforcement or fire or emergency setting
• prepare reports
• reach conclusions quickly in law enforcement situations
• read maps
• recognize public safety hazards
• relay information to proper officials
• take messages
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use emergency medical procedures
• use geographical information system (GIS) software
• use intervention techniques
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of geographic coordinates
• use local or regional geographical knowledge to transportation
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use rescue procedures
• use telephone communication techniques
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• use word processing or desktop publishing software