Police Dispatcher

Police Dispatcher Organization

The City of Coronado is Accepting Applications for Police Dispatcher Department.

The Coronado Police Department provides outstanding law enforcement services to the community of Coronado. Professionalism, Integrity, Accountability, and Respect are the values at the core of our agency. We utilize our philosophy of community-oriented policing to foster relationships and find solutions for problems in our community.

Positions in this class use radio equipment, varied computer programs, and printers in situations requiring incumbents to establish priorities and handle several emergencies simultaneously, and to work with a high level of accuracy. Incumbents work under the general supervision of the Dispatch Supervisor and receive line supervision from the assigned watch commander. Incumbents receive thorough instructions when tasks are initially assigned and after training are expected to perform duties without constant supervision.

Incumbents are expected to use established guidelines, precedent, and judgment in resolving dispatch problems and service requests, requesting direction from a supervisor in situations requiring the establishment of or departure from standard operations. Incumbents must use judgment in advising the watch commander of pertinent field problems and service requests.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic customer service-minded individual with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Good judgement, high attention to detail, and the ability to elicit crucial information from distressed callers in a timely manner is essential in the police dispatcher role. Success in this role requires excellent multi-tasking abilities in order to effectively interview callers on emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency lines while operating the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to monitor numerous frequencies and format requests for police, fire, and emergency medical services to the appropriate agencies and departments.

Previous experience in emergency services dispatching is highly desirable.

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities if qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Any combination of training, education, and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position.
• A typical way to qualify would be completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented by specialized training in communications, public safety dispatch, or a related field.
• Public safety telecommunications or dispatch experience is desirable.

• A typing certificate with a net corrected speed of 40 words per minute dated within one year of the time of application. (Certificates with just the WPM and an accuracy percentage do not meet this requirement - It must say Net WPM or Corrected WPM.) A valid typing certificate must be attached to the application.
• CLETS Certificate from the Department of Justice (DOJ) is required prior to database access.
• P.O.S.T. Dispatch Certificate required within one year of appointment.

• Application Review:
  Applications are reviewed on an as-needed basis for relevant education, training, and experience. A valid typing certificate must be attached to your application for consideration.
• Performance Test (Pass/Fail):
  Applicants who best meet the qualifications above will be invited to take the online Criti Call test. Criti Call is a computer-based assessment that simulates a generic dispatch environment and measures skills critical to public safety dispatching, including multitasking, prioritization, map reading, memory recall, comprehension, and data entry. For more information, visit Criti Call.
  The Police Dispatcher Criti Call Test is tentatively scheduled for the September 16, 2026, through September 23, 2026. Testing date are subject to change.
• Oral Panel Interview (Pass/Fail):
  Applicants who pass the Performance Test will be invited to an oral board interview.
• Pre-Background Check Process:
  Top candidates from the oral board interview will be invited to complete the pre-background process, which includes a Personal History Statement and other required forms, a polygraph examination, and a thorough law enforcement background investigation conducted by a licensed background investigator.
• Department Interview:
  Final candidates will interview with the Chief of Police and the Dispatch Supervisor. Successful candidates will receive a conditional offer of employment, contingent on passing a psychological evaluation and a medical exam, including a drug screen.

The City of Coronado participates in E-Verify, all new employees are required to submit verification of legal right to work in the United States. The City of Coronado is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Individuals with disabilities who will require reasonable accommodation in order to…