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Posted by: PMC810

Does anyone think it is right for The Dispacthers to go around raising money and having things done with the police logo or name on everything they do?? Even though that they are two different departments basicllyy [img]graemlins/argue.gif[/img]

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Posted by: Officer Dunngeon

Absolutely! They work for the same department, they just have different responsibilities. Some departments' officers may not always get along with the dispatchers on the air, but I think for the most part, the dispatchers are right there with those officers, sweating it out, their hearts pounding and praying for them when the doo doo's going down.

If they are raising money for a cause, like child leukemia or something, wouldn't you want them to use your departments' logo? Make you look good? Sheesh! I really hate this kind of stuff, like "let's keep everyone nice and separate so we don't have to be associated with the low-life civilians!" Like police officers are part of some elite club that's just so chi-chi! [img]graemlins/puke.gif[/img]

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Posted by: PMC810

Right they're right there with you but there not they can't vote on the LEO contract and they don't go to union meetings and all that good stuff. But is it some sort of fruad if they don't have permission to do so, and relax it's a simple guestion you don't have to get all mad or does it hit a sore spot . geesh sorry [img]tongue.gif[/img]

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Posted by: Officer Dunngeon

So what if they're not in the same union, our superior officers are in a different union than us, does that mean they can't have cook outs with the Muni logo on the tablecloth?

And what are you talking about "fraud", what fraud? Is there something specific that you're talking about? Are the dispatchers from your department (whatever THAT is) impersonating police officers? [img]graemlins/squint.gif[/img]

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Posted by: PMC810

No, but it's just that in away they are one department but in other ways it would make it two different. But you also have to to take into that they can do details or inforce they law, that also makes a big difference. right ?

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Posted by:

Dispatchers for the most part are civillian employees who work for the Police Department. Some wear uniforms and should have the huge rocker DISPATCHER above the patch. If you ask me, it should be tattoo'd on their forehead. I know some Dispatchers who drive Crown Vics and "Spark it up" and pretend to be what they aren't. If they use the logo of the Police Department on anything, the logo DISPATCHER should be emblazened in 1" red letters above the patch. That way they will never be mistaken for what they are not, which is POLICE OFFICERS. As for Superior officers using the logo, they at least went through a police academy and paid their dues on the street, unlike Dispatchers who sit in an airless cubicle in a concrete building. Just my thoughts. [img]graemlins/lol.gif[/img]

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Posted by: Joe B

Wow, no love for your friendly dispatchers huh, HousingCop [img]upset.gif[/img] ? I don't know what kind of horrid dispatchers you've run into , but I know plenty who do that thankless friggin' job with true excellence and professionalism . I also know a couple that if you approached them with that tattoo gun you alluded to, they'd open a large can of whoop ass on ya'! [img]graemlins/sly.gif[/img]

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Posted by: FghtNIrsh17

Its amazing how there are still cops out there that have no respect for their dispatchers what so ever. Its nice to see that there are cops out there that will try to stand up for dispatches and give credit where credit is due. Yes there are times where on the air you get heated and what not but where else would you be without the dispatcher?? How would you like to have a cell phone and have every person that calls the station be calling that cell phone?? See how you handle things then?? I also for got to mention that in between the calls you have to run everyones plates and WMS checks and all the other little BS that dispatchers have to do.

Using the departsment logo for fund raises, why even argue that? Having to put DISPATCHER in 1" lettering above everything, thats just making sure you exclude them.

It just erkes me when cops look down on dispatcher or what to "exclude them or make them stand out" so that there not mistaken. Come on now where are all here for the same reason and to get the same results. Last time I checked my spelling there was no I in TEAM. If that has changed please let me know so I can go buy a new dictionary. Just my [img]graemlins/mytwocents.gif[/img]

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Posted by: pickels

As a part time dispatcher I feel that there is no problem using the dept. logo's etc. for fundraising or charity work. We work damn hard sometimes trying to do a hundred things at once. Especially if you have a combined dispatch center. Just my [img]graemlins/mytwocents.gif[/img] !

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Posted by: 725

Dispatchers should definitely be able to use their department's logo as long as approved by the brass. Dispatchers do a job that very few cops want to do and that some cops don't appreciate. There are, of course, those individuals who should not be working as a dispatcher with a police patch on their shoulder . . . those who are hardly professional and who lack the maturity to be allowed access to "police" logos. On the same hand though, there are police officers who should never have been give a badge because they too are unprofessional and take advantage of their position. So, I don't see how you can exclude a whole group due to the actions of a few select nit-wits.

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

Interesting, there are quite a few departments who use sworn officers as dispatchers. Usually this is some sort of bid job. To be honest, it would be tough to be a cop if there was no one to tell you where to go? Know what I'm saying?

The issue with dispatchers using the logo shouldn't be a problem If your department is hirng reputable trustworthy people as dispatchers, then you really shouldn't have to worry right? Maybe that is where the problem lies?

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Posted by: mpd61

Whoa!

Feel the love! How many of you critics have sat in that chair doing six-point-five (6.5) things per minute? Alot of us Police Officers out here had to ride the pine once or twice, or for a shift. NCIC Cert/911 Enhanced etc.
Not very easy at times. When was the last time you gave a dispatcher a break to go to the head?

Oh noses out of joint for fundraising!? Please! Anybody who gets a paycheck from the department is a member of that agency. Who's next to look down at? Matrons, Crossing guards, constables? How do you put your pants on?

Time to move on?

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Posted by: tomahawk

I agree with mpd61... but of course I would, I have held more dispatcher positions than anything.

I have been privileged enough to work for departments that take good care of their dispatchers; nearly every officer I worked with was very respectful and helpful to me. Sounds like that is not the case everywhere... guess I am one of the lucky ones. Those of you who look down on those at the desk, please remember that we are all on the same team. Power trips cause problems, not solve them.

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Posted by: Officer Dunngeon

Every job has it's bad apples, but you have to look at them as individuals, not as a department. I know some people that shouldn't even wear even a plastic junior officers badge because their attitudes are an embarrassment to children everywhere... let's knock off the exclusionary doodie, it's really UNBECOMING of adult police officers. People who think like that really have some insecurity issues, like they're afraid the dispatchers are going to take away their hairy-chest-big-man-hero-in-the-spotlight statures.
This is what the people who think that dispatchers are not part of their department sound like to me:

NYAH NYAH, you can't be in our club because you're stupid dumb dumb heads! We're better than you!

SO WHAT if they're not academy trained police officers! They are still on the SAME DEPARTMENT, it's the SAME JOB, just a different JOB DESCRPITION! If you have people who VOLUNTEER to help organize and run an event like for charity (which most fundraisers are for, no?) that work on your department, they can stamp the logos on their asses for all I care! [img]upset.gif[/img]

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Posted by: VTCOP

I agree that dispatchers should be allowed to use the department(s) name. They are an active member of said police agency, and with out them, your/our job would be much much harder to do.

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Posted by:

I have to weigh in here, I just got home from a detail that started @ 4:00pm this afternoon. It's now 2:00am, (brockton V.Everett high school football game).So I'm tired and bitchy so this probably wont sound to nice, so forgive while I rant on.

I have read everyone's responses to this topic and I have to say I absoulutley agree with those that support the dispatchers. MPD61 I could not have said it better myself, I'am a special police officer in the City of Everett and the Shit I deal with from the regulars in in my opinon is totaly ridiculiuos ( i know I spelt that wrong). I never met a bunch of people who think there above everyone else in my life.

If you draw a pay check from the dept you work ( and even if you dont-and you only represent that dept on a voluntary basis)then you have every right to collect money in support of a good cause in that dept's name (with there proper permission of course).

I'm so sick and tired of the attitude of Cops (certain ones ) thinking they should be on a pedastill just because of the job they do ( most of the one's that think that way are the ones who got there ass"s handed to them in high school and now there making up for it).

Look we all know the dangers of the job granted, but those people who dispatch are just as much involved as the officer on the street, IT'S A PARTNERSHIP, no matter what way you cut it or slice it. So I give praise to those who stick out the job for 10.00 an hour with no details and limited overtime, to help out anyway they can.

HAIL TO THE DISPATCHERS, YA DAM Right they earn there right everday.

And to the person who said they said they seen them driving around in there own personal crown vics, my response is( and no disresepct) hey if there making the payments then, WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Whats the big deal, as long as they dont go around pulling people over and playing Mr. Police Officer then whats the difference, if they step over the line then worry about it.

Well that's all I have to say, and again it's just my opinon I'm not trying to offend anyone here I just hate to see good people get a bad rap. There are alot of good people out there doing the same type of work they should not be stigmatized by some random shitheads who give them a bad name. Cops in general are alway's saying please dont judge me by what other cops do I my own person, well the same goes for dipatchers and other involved in LE. So for what you expect you must give the same, it's called the "Benifit of the Doubt"(unless you can prove otherwise- and intil you can you aint got shit).

I so hate to see people doing there job whether it be a Constable , Sheriff, Dispatcher or any other LE professional getting a bad rap because of how some Retards act like Morons and give them a bad name.Cops have those retards too. ( trust me I know quite a few).

Judge on an individual basis, Do not generalize, when you Generalize it diminishe's your own character.
[img]graemlins/soapbox.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/burningmad.gif[/img]

Again I must reinterate I'm not trying to offend anyone here those are not my intentions it's just that,this type of conversation burns my ass, big time.

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Posted by: MCOA41

1st of all thank you to the major majority of you that support your Dispatchers. And I hope the very few of you that seem to have a problem with Dispatchers never need my help. Ok, I would help because like all dispatchers I consider all of you, even the jerks as my brothers and sisters. Maybe we did not go through the hell of the academy and bitter cold of the 3 am MV stop but we have our own hell we deal with on a regular basis. I am proud to be a dispatcher to know I play a very vital role in keeping your ass alive to go home. I have had the honor to represent my department (Police Dept) at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. We may be civilians but we are a part of you. We are not 2 seperate departments unless you are actualy a seperate dept like Cambridge. Even if you are, we are all the same. To be honest to the officers that do not see that I feel very sorry for you and the people you work with.
Yes you have dispatchers that act like wannabes but I know cop that are just as bad. DO i need to get into some accounts of cops in Holyoke, Springfield and oter areas. People are people and in any group of any size you will find some bad apples.
Once again thank you to my brothers and sisters taht support us behind the desk in the airless concrete building.

PS I say this as an individual not as a member of the MCOA or my dept.

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Posted by: tomahawk

Let's not forget that some dispatchers already *did* go through an academy, and are using the dispatch job to improve their chances of being hired as a police officer.

There are some lousy dispatchers out there. There are some lousy police officers out there. The proportion of each is probably about equal.

It sounds like there are some officers with some strong feelings about those who work the desk. Glad I have been lucky enough to work for departments that are apparently a bit more selective in their hiring when it comes down to "plays nice with others". [img]graemlins/astonished.gif[/img]

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Posted by: MCOA41

Do you know I always check locals, on every plate, every name… EVERY
time ?
that when I ask you to repeat your location, it is because I know a
traffic stop is one of the most dangerous things you do?

Do you know how hard I try to be faster, better, clearer… how
frustrated I am when I cannot understand you, how worried I am that
you'll think it's me?

Do you know how much I hate it when you don't answer your status
checks?
How truly frightened I am?
How helpless I feel?
How my heart pounds while I start you backup, that can never get
there in time…

Do you know it matters to me…
I don't wear a badge, or a gun but I want to make a difference…
I want to make the world a little safer, a little better…
I take pride in getting the 'bad guys' and helping the good ones…

Do you know how much one 'thank-you' means, how one "good job on
that" has to last weeks, sometimes months?

Do you know that *I know* that you swear at us, think we are stupid,
and lazy, have rag sessions at shift change...
That *I know* not every dispatcher tries?

Do you know I can hear you laugh at me, or laugh with me.
I can hear when you're tired, sick or just in a bad mood.
I can hear a smile through the radio, just as clearly as I can hear
disdain.

Do you know that I pray…
When I can't raise you on the radio, when you're code three, when I
send you to fights, drunks, domestics… when I am home in the dark of
night, mind still racing from the day.

Do you know that I care?

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Posted by: MCOA41

A long time chief of polce wrote this a few years back.

Someone once asked me if I thought that answering telephones and
telling assigning duties to officers for a living was a profession. I
said I thought it was a calling.
I have found in my law enforcement career that dispatchers are the
unsung heroes of public safety. They miss the excitement of a pursuit
or getting to an emergency quickly. They can only hear of the bright
orange flames leaping from a burning building. They do not get to see
the joy of the loved ones and friends when a medical emergency is
brought to a safe conclusion.
Dispatchers sit in darkened rooms looking at computer screens and
talking to voices from faces they can't see It is like reading a lot
of books, but only half of each one.
Dispatchers connect the anxious conversations of terrified victims,
angry complainants, suicidal students, and grouchy officers. They are
the calming influence of all of our community members and guests.
They are often the quiet competent voices in the night that provide
the pillars for the bridges of sanity and safety.
They are expected to gather information from highly aggitated
people who can't remember where they parked their vehicles, if they
locked their rooms, or what they just witnessed. And then they are to
calmly provide all that information to officers, fire fighters, and
paramedics without error-the first time, every time.
Dispatchers are expected to be able to do five things at once-and to
do them all well. While questioning a panicked caller, they must type
the information into the computer, answer an alarm, put another
caller on hold, and to listen to an officer run a plate for a parking
promlem. This may all be going on while a vistor is at the window to
get directions to a campus location. To miss the plate number is to
raise the officer's blood pressure; to miss the caller's information
may endanger the officer's life. But the officer will seldom
understand that.
Dispatchers have two constant companions. Other dispatchers and
stress. They depend on one and try to ignore the other. They are
screamed at by upset callers with no patience, taken for granted by
the public, and criticized by officers. The rewards they get are
inexpensive and infrequent, except for the satisfaction they feel at
the end of a shift, having done what they were expected to do and
more.
Dispatchers come in all shapes and sizes, all races, boths sexes,
and all ages. They are blondes, brunettes, redheads, and no hair at
all. They are quiet or outgoing, single or married, plain, beautiful,
or handsome. No two are alike, yet they are all the same and are
constantly compared to each other. They care about people and they
enjoy being the lifeline of society-that steady voice in a storm-the
one who knows how to handle every emergency and does it with style
and grace, and uncompromised competence.
Dispatchers play many roles: therapist, answer person, doctor,
lawyer, teacher, weather prognosticator, guidance counselor,
psychologist, secretary, supervisor, and reporter.
If they hold in the stress, they are too closed. If they talk about
it, they are whiners. If it bothers them, it adds more stress. If it
doesn't, they question themselves, and wonder why.
Dispatchers are expected to have the compassion of Mother Teresa;
the wisdom of Solomon; the interviewing skills of Oprah Winfrey; the
gentleness of Florence Nightingale; the patience of Job; the voice of
Barbara Streisand or Tom Brokaw; the knowledge of Einstein; the
answers of Ann Landers; the people skills of Sheriff Any Taylor, the
humor of David Letterman; the investigative skills of Joe Friday; the
looks of Julia Roberts or Tom Cruise; the faith of the Pope; and the
energy and endurance of the EverReady Bunny.
It is a unique and talented person who can do this job and do it
well. Many have tried and failed. It takes a special person with
unique skills. I admire and thank you for the thankless job you all
do. Our success oftentimes starts and ends with your involvement.

(This also was added.....)

All to often, dispatchers are the forgotten affected co-worker. COPS
(Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.) wants each and every dispatcher
across this nation to know we appreciate the life-line they provide
to law enforcement and we do know they suffer each and every time an
officer goes down.

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Posted by: MCOA41

tomahawk,
Some of us even went through the police academy got certified as an EMT and even completed the Firefighter 1 training to become the best dispatcher possible.

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Posted by:

OMG Can we can the Dear Abby speeches here about the job that Dispatchers have? Sure, they have tough jobs but I would much rather actually have a Police Officer dispatcher giving me calls than a civilian dispatcher any day.
Does anyone remember the shooting a couple months ago of the "Unarmed woman passenger" in a car in Dorchester? A pair of cops from another district were unaware that a car was being followed by cops and the new civilian dispatcher didn't even know how to simulcast on the 2 different radio frequencies. A perfect example of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing. HUGE greivance for the BPPA on that one. Evans, in his "Cost saving meaure" pulled out the fully capable Police Officer dispatches from HQ and replaced them with stuttering illiterates who can't even pronounce certain street names correctly. This contributed to the CLUSTER F... on that night. Now 2 cops are left out to hang in the wind because of somebodys inability to do their job correctly.
I understand totally and completely what Dispatchers go through. I have spent a couple days in the chair myself. It's not an enviable position but at least when I was sending guys into harm's way, I knew exactly what to expect at the street address I was sending them to. I don't think the majority of Civiliam Dispatchers have that experience. Sorry, just my opinion......like it or not. You don't have to always agree with it but I still have a right to it.

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Posted by:

So you know what to expect when you send an officer to an address ,huh? And how do know that, every single situation is different. If you know what to expect when you send an officer to an address then maybe you should be a dispatcher you could really make a difference with that type of forsight, you could save alot of lifes. I mean that was part of reason for becoming a Police Officer in the 1st place right? ( I would hope)

So instead of bashing dispatchers maybe you can use some of that ESP you have to save lifes. I mean you said it yourself "you know what to expect."

Now getting to your opinon, absoulutley you are entitled to I dont think anyone here would deny that, thats alot of what this board is, and it works. But you can express yourself without bashing others on the board. So please continue to express your opinon with out the bashing now one here needs that.

"sorry just my opinon.....like it or not you dont have to always agree with it but I still have a right to it"---Sound familiar??????????

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Posted by: 725

Just to add my two cents . . . I have heard of civilian dispatchers who made terrible errors and probably should never have set foot in a dispatch room. I also know of police officers who choose to work the desk when they have absolutely positively no business dispatching their fellow officers. Its a two-way street. No matter where you go, you are bound to find both sworn officers and civilians who should not be dispatching. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but before judgments are made, always try to remember that we have all had different experiences with different people. In spite of that, I would like to think that we could all be thankful for a good, quality dispatcher . . .whether he or she be sworn or civilian.

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Posted by: female p.o.

Hey Housing Cop, I know of a Police Dept. in Boston that uses their Police Officers as dispatchers....Better catch up on your homework! [img]graemlins/moon.gif[/img]

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Posted by: mpd61

Quote:

Originally posted by HousingCop: OMG Can we can the Dear Abby speeches here about the job that Dispatchers have? Sure, they have tough jobs but I would much rather actually have a Police Officer dispatcher giving me calls than a civilian dispatcher any day. Evans, in his "Cost saving meaure" pulled out the fully capable Police Officer dispatches from HQ and replaced them with stuttering illiterates who can't even pronounce certain street names correctly. I understand totally and completely what Dispatchers go through. I have spent a couple days in the chair myself. It's not an enviable position but at least when I was sending guys into harm's way, I knew exactly what to expect at the street address I was sending them to.

<font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">You really present as extremely inflexible and subjective view on many issues.

You claim to be clairvoyant when assuming the dispatcher's role. That IS an absolute statement you made. WOW!

Then you classify a specific group of people in extremely negative terms. PREJUDICE!

you make reference to available responding back up officers as either "strapping cop" or "pipsqueak" Most of us fit neither category, so the choice identified seems invalid.

You are certainly entitled to your opinions, however, it seems that they are based on arbitrary, emotional, and cynical perceptions rather than fact or objective reasoning............ [img]graemlins/headshake.gif[/img]

peace and tranquility!

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Posted by: tomahawk

HousingCop, how about this - you work for two weeks with a randomly selected P.O. on the desk, and a week with a randomly selected civilian dispatcher. You are not told which is which. At the end of that time, tell me which one you would rather have behind the mic. You probably could not even tell the difference. Or actually, you might -- it _is_ hard to find a P.O. who has the patience or desire to work the desk for a week!

Cut out the stupid crybaby crap and post without the prejudicial bashing, please. [img]graemlins/nonono.gif[/img]

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Posted by:

Well I have to agree with MPD and Tomahawk and the others who in defense of the dispatchers have left posts addressing The statements made buy the new member HousingCop.

However I think enough has been said about this issue, housingcop obviously has no regard to whom he projects his insults too ( because this is NOT the only forum he has spilled his cynical views in).

I think we all have given his setaments enough attention.It would seem to me that he is possibly doing this on purpose, to get a rise out of everyone and I would hate to see someone with that type maliciuos intent succeed.Granted he is entitled to his opinon but we can do without the sarcasim and the derogative tones.

So I think this topic should be CLOSED. [img]graemlins/mytwocents.gif[/img]

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Posted by: devildog

There are "yahoo" dispatchers out there, as well as "yahoo" cops out there. You know what I'm talking about. Willing to flash their badge for a free cup of coffee, or drives around in a personal crown vic that looks like an unmarked. Dispatchers are so much a key asset to any department. On an all call, every office hearing that will come running. The dispatchers won't though. Because they have a duty inside the station that is crucial to us getting the job done on the street. But I know a lot of dispatchers... if given the opportunity will come running to any of our aids. So yes. Dispatchers are put of our close-knit brotherhood.

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Posted by: MrJim911

Interesting topic... As far as that civilian dispatcher screwing up... It's typical that dispatchers would only get recognized when they do screw up, which is very rare. Anyway... Based on what was said, it sounds like a training issue, pretty obvious as a matter of fact. Perhaps if municipalities/counties spent half as much $$ on training their Telecommunicators as they did their police officers, firefighters and paramedics they could avoid those screw ups.

I'm also strongly opposed to officers being in dispatch. As I'm sure officers would be opposed to us being in their patrol car attempting to do their job. Each profession is too complex and requires to much training for anyone to be totally proficient at both. The police should police and the dispatchers should dispatch. It is very rare in this day to find officers dispatching, although it does still happen in some places. With proper training civilian dispatchers are more then adequate to serve in that capacity an can excel. I'm a civilian and I'll bet anything I'm better at my profession than any of my officers would be. But I sure wouldn't bet the other way... Civilian or sworn is irrelevant. It's the screening, BI's, work environment, training, etc, that makes a good Telecommunicator.

And just a little something extra... A study came out a few years ago with the nations most stressful jobs. 911 Telecommunicator was #3... right behind Neurosurgeon and Air Traffic Controller. The average turn over rate for a 911 Telecommunicator...3 years. (It use to be 7...) Why would a bunch of people in a cement room have it so rough? It might have something to do with the aforementioned stress. Or perhaps never getting recognition for anything good, but always getting immediate recognition for something bad. Lack of proper training? Lack of up to date technology? Low pay? Excessive amounts of OT because your center has been understaffed for years? 12 hour shifts are always lots of fun... A administration of sworn people who have no idea how to run a communications center? Perhaps it's because of the lady giving birth in your ear on the telephone while your officer is being shot at on channel one while the officer on channel 2 is complaining because you haven't run the plate he requested yet? And your trying to enter all of this into the CAD... (And lets not forget what's going on on the fire channel) Perhaps it's because in our policy we get "breaks" but they never happen because "dispatch" can't go "Busy on a meal" like the officers can. We have to learn to eat while still plugged in. And this next one the officers can underdstand.. Being yelled and cussed at by citizens... Luckily in this respect we don't have to be standng in front of them... OH! Unless your one of those dispatchers who have to take walk up reports at a unsecure facility where any armed crazy can come in and shoot you? (It's happpened) Perhaps your one of those unlucky souls who ALSO has to do the duties of a jailer ALONG with doing your dispatcher duties? Or worst of all, you work ALONE. I pity those Dispatchers... That should be illegal. The list of possiblities go on...

Regardless, for those of you who do throw us a thumbs up on occasion or send up that Christmas card saying thank you. Or especially when you say thank you for no apparent reason at all, thank YOU. And for those of you who don't really like us... Don't worry. We'll still be there for ya, getting you home safe every night.

Jim J
Mr 911
TriCom Central Dispatch

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Posted by: csauce30

Jim911,

Well put. I agree with everything you said. I am not a dispatcher, but I agree that officers who dont already...should extend a thanks to their respective dispatchers for a job well done.

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Posted by: MCOA41

Amen, MrJim911

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Posted by: Sgt Jack

A most excellent post Mr Jim...

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Posted by: Muggsy09

[quote="PJM#15"]As a part time dispatcher I feel that there is no problem using the dept. logo's etc. for fundraising or charity work. We work damn hard sometimes trying to do a hundred things at once.


I agree with Pat, I consider our dispatchers to be a part of our department.....ya maybe they don't work the road but without them the street officers would be lost. PT or FT dispatcher should be able to use the Dept. name and or logo for fundraising or charity what the hell as long as it is a good cause.

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Posted by: HOOPCITYDETECTIVE

As a civilian dispatcher in Springfield, I honestly have equal or better knowledge of what to expect in certain neighborhoods than my police officer counterparts given that I grew up in some of the city's most violent neighborhoods. Also many of the officers come from the suburbs and still live there now. I witnessed my first shooting at age 11. So being a civilian has absolutely nothing to do with knowledge of the street. Tell me anything. But don't dare tell me I don't know my city.

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Posted by: REILEYDOG

Any officers that feel that they are somehow better than dispatchers better get off their high horse and grow up. I know my dispatchers work just as hard as me, and for a lot less money. They put in 24 hour shifts at times, and they can't stop at home of at a coffee shop for a 15 minute breather like I have the luxury of doing. If you think their job is easy, then go try it for an 8 hour shift on a busy day. I wouldn't want that job, and they deserve our repect.

If you have an individual dispatcher that is a clown, then that's one individual. There are enough LEO's that are clowns, too, and I wouldn't expect a dispatcher to judge us based on those few.

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Posted by: Hb13

Thank you Mr 911,
I dispatch in a regional dispatch, 10 towns eventhough they are all pretty small towns they can be really busy and you are right we only get responses or calls from the officers (not all) when something goes wrong. It is so frustrating when that happens because we could save a life talking someone through on the phone, then an hour later do something small that is wrong and get a annoying phone call from an officer that doesn't have the foggiest of a clue what is happening up here. Anyways i just wanted to say thank you to all of you that are standing up for us dispatchers it is nice to know that not all of you are superficial jerks.

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Posted by: Andy0921

Our dispatches are great, except one whos an old grump, but is always looking out for us. The rest im great friends with most of the the time I just call them by name and not hq. They have a great sense of humor for the stupid calls we always make sarcastic comments, I dunno how we havent been fined by the FCC lol. But there good people always concerned for our safety, I dont have any problem with our civilian dispatches behind the desk.

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Posted by: mtc

Carefull there Andy-
It'll come back to bite you one day. Trust me, I know, I have my own special spot on the carpet.
All it'll take is some scannerjockey to complain.... just once.

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Posted by: Curious EMT

There are no military police in the streets of america, therefore everyone working for a police dept is a civilian.

Different jobs and responsibilities, thats it. They may not be union, but they're no different or no less of an employee of the department.

If they're trying to get things personally by saying they work for the dept, then fuckem, but the same goes for sworn officers...

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Posted by: JoninNH

Am I the only one here who notices that the former Circus City LP guy just reopened a thread that had been dead for three years?

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Posted by: motivated

Thats why i took a dispatcher job because i love to drink and drive...got away with it 3 times now!!

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Posted by: SOT

To answer the question, I don't think anyone should use their department logo to raise money for anything unless it is approved by the CLEO of the department.

If the CLEO thinks it's OK then who am I to question.

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