Serve on the Frontlines of Public Safety: Become a Police Dispatcher

Police dispatchers play a crucial role in public safety by serving as the first point of contact for individuals in distress. They must efficiently gather essential information from callers, assess the situation, and dispatch the appropriate emergency services. This role requires a unique blend of skills and attributes that ensure help is sent quickly and accurately.

The nature of emergency calls often involves high-stress situations that demand the dispatcher to remain calm and composed. This steadiness is essential because it helps in clearly communicating with the caller and the responding units. Maintaining a level head enables dispatchers to think critically and act swiftly, assuring the caller that help is on the way.

A police dispatcher must follow established protocols and procedures to ensure that the right resources are deployed effectively. This includes accurately recording details, prioritizing calls based on urgency, and coordinating with various emergency services. Adhering to these protocols is vital to minimize response times and optimize the support provided to those in need.

In the St. Louis area, the following agencies answer emergency and non emergency calls for services, as well as dispatch for police in their specific area(s):

• St. Louis County Police, Bureau of Communications, located in Ballwin, covers the majority of police dispatch in St. Louis County. Dispatchers here answer a high volume of calls, dispatch police services for all of the unincorporated areas within the county as well as approximately 44 additional municipal police departments located within the county.

• North Central Dispatch, located in St. Ann, answers both 911 and non emergency calls and provides police dispatching services to the cities of St. Ann, Edmundson, Northwoods, and the North County Police Cooperative.

• West Central Dispatch, located in Town and County, answers both 911 and non emergency calls and provides police dispatching services to the cities of Town and County, Creve Coeur, Frontenac, and Ladue.

• Ballwin Police Department answers both 911 and non emergency calls and provides police dispatching services to the cities of Ballwin and Manchester.

• Sunset Hills Police Department has dispatchers who answer both 911 and non emergency calls and provides dispatch services to the cities of Sunset Hills and Crestwood.

• Florissant Police Department has dispatchers who answer both 911 and non emergency calls and provides dispatch services to their own police units

• Berkley Police Department has dispatchers who answer both 911 and non emergency calls and provides dispatch services to their own police units

• University City Police Department has dispatchers who answer both 911 and non emergency calls and provides dispatch services to their own police units