We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Become a Police Dispatcher?

By G. Wiesen
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,196
Share

To become a police dispatcher, a person should contact his or her local police or sheriff’s office to find out about openings as an operator or dispatcher. This will allow the applicant to learn of potential positions available as well as request the necessary papers and forms to begin the application process. While a college degree is not necessary to become a police dispatcher, a high school degree is almost always mandatory, and a having an associate’s degree in an area such as criminal law or police science would certainly be beneficial for an applicant. Actual skills and experience are usually more important for 911 dispatchers than any particular educational background.

Someone looking to become a police dispatcher should also consider parallel careers such as being a fire department or ambulance dispatcher. These other careers would give someone real-world experience quite similar to being a police dispatcher, and give him or her an edge against other applicants, which could be especially useful in areas with more competition for dispatcher jobs. Since some smaller areas may only need one or two dispatchers for police, this can also allow someone to begin working in a related field while he or she awaits an opening as a police dispatcher. Larger metropolitan areas will usually have more openings as more dispatchers are required to answer the greater number of incoming calls, and moving to such a place may be something anyone wanting to become a police dispatcher should consider.

The application process to become a police dispatcher can be rather lengthy and any applicant looking into the field should consider that fact. While the specific process will vary with location, there is typically a long written application as well as psychiatric evaluation of any applicant. Background checks are typically mandatory as well, and anyone wanting to become a police dispatcher should consider what might be found in such a background check. Previous experience in a call center will also usually be a benefit for any applicant.

Police dispatching is a high-stress job that requires the ability to multitask and coordinate the needs of different people simultaneously. Being a 911 operator can also include some fairly brutal emotional moments as well. Anyone looking to become a police dispatcher should be sure that he or she can handle the reality of hearing people on the phone who may be panicking, injured, witnessing a crime, or the victims of violent crime. While this should not dissuade someone with the mental and emotional fortitude needed to perform such a job, the reality of the work should be recognized by any potential candidates.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Drentel — On Dec 19, 2014

@Laotionne - You should be aware that while a person in a 911 dispatcher position will not face the same dangers as police officers and firefighters, the pressure and the stress can be just as intense and overwhelming. When someone calls a police dispatcher, the dispatcher plays a key role in making sure the caller gets the help he or she needs.

Also, you work long shifts and you handle a lot calls, some of them coming in a the same time, and you have to handle them quickly and precisely, or else you could be putting someone's life in greater danger. Many dispatchers burn out from the pressure after a few years.

By Sporkasia — On Dec 18, 2014

One of my former coworkers at one of the newspaper companies I worked for became a police dispatcher. He fell into the job by accident. He was shuffling from job to job before he landed the job at the newspaper, and he was not happy there.

A friend told him about an opening for a dispatcher in his department. With the recommendation from his friend, the guy filled out an application and took the 911 dispatcher test.

He was notified in a few weeks that he had passed the test and all of his paperwork checked out. At this point he was offered a job and he accepted. He did not have any formal training or work experience that specifically prepared him for the position.

By Laotionne — On Dec 17, 2014

I am fascinated by police work, and I believe police officers provide one of the most important services there is for the towns, cities and counties where they work.

In my fantasy world, I would love to be a police officer and help fight crime. In the real world, I would rather become a police dispatcher. This way I can help people and experience the exhilaration of police work without putting myself in more danger than I am prepared to handle.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-become-a-police-dispatcher.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.