Police Dispatcher

The City of Bell Gardens Police Department (BGPD) is seeking a highly motivated and public service oriented individual for the position of Police Dispatcher.

The City of Bell Gardens Police Department is committed to providing the highest level of service to the community, while working with the residents and our members, demonstrating professionalism, integrity and accountability. The Bell Gardens Police Department is comprised of the Communication Center, Parking Enforcement, Patrol Unit, Records Unit, and Traffic Unit.

Under general supervision, the Police Dispatcher receives emergency and non-emergency calls for service and dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment utilizing computer aided dispatch, telephone and/or radio communications equipment in accordance with department policies and procedures.

An applicant for this position must be willing and available to work any assigned shift, including weekend and holiday hours, and may be subject to call-in's during emergency situations and staffing shortages.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receives emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public for police, fire, or other emergency services; determines the nature of the call and the resources necessary to respond.
• Communicates with callers to determine the nature of the call and provide appropriate assistance; maintains composure to ensure that complete and accurate information is transmitted.
• Screens non-emergency calls for service; provides requested information or directs callers to the proper person, department or agency.
• Monitors police radio communications; maintains contact with police units to track officer status and respond to need for additional resources.
• Assists police personnel in the field quickly and accurately researching and relaying criminal history information and other requested data.
• Updates and maintains electronic records and logs of data pertaining to calls and activities.

Additional duties may include: maintaining a radio log of events occurring on a given shift in accordance with F.C.C. rules and regulations; utilizing police telecommunications systems to make necessary entries and queries regarding stolen property and wanted persons; coordinating and communicating activities between agencies jointly responding to multi-agency incidents; understanding and following complex written and oral instruction from field personnel; operating and monitoring a variety of equipment;

reading and interpreting maps to locate emergencies, determining jurisdictions, and dispatching the nearest unit to expedite response time; participating in a variety of classes, training, and/or certification sessions; maintaining and troubleshooting equipment problems; skill establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, other City employees and the public.

Any combination of education, training and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for successful job performance.

A typical way to obtain the requisite qualifications to perform the duties of this class is as follows:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent; and
• Two (2) years of experience in typing and general clerical work, including one year of experience which required considerable public contact.

The ability to analyze situations and adopt an effective and reasonable course of action; work well under pressure and in stressful situations. College level courses in Criminal Justice, Public Administration or a related field.

POST Dispatcher Certificate highly desirable

Ability to speak Spanish highly desirable.

Computer aided dispatch preferred. Prioritizing and multi-tasking skills; excellent writing skills; analytical skills.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
Speak clearly and precisely;
Effectively communicate and elicit information from upset and irate citizens;
Type accurately at a speed of no less than 40 net words per minute;
Understand and follow written and oral instructions;
Learn and follow standard broadcasting procedures and rules;
Learn and utilize a wide variety of codes and computer commands;
Spell accurately;
Operate computer aided dispatching (CAD) equipment and other office equipment quickly, accurately, and at times, concurrently;
Respond to emergency and problem…