Police Dispatcher; Lateral

Sign‑On Bonus

City of Westminster offers a one‑time sign‑on bonus of $10,000 for qualified lateral police dispatchers. The bonus is paid as $5,000 upon hire and the remaining $5,000 upon completion of probation.

• Possess a POST Communications Certificate.
• Have successfully completed a probationary period within a California public safety agency or equivalent, or have one full year of dispatcher experience within the last four years.

Under general supervision, the dispatcher receives police and emergency calls and dispatches police units following prescribed procedures; answers non‑emergency calls for public safety and other city departments; performs general administrative support duties including record‑keeping, typing, and filing; and performs related work as required.

Receives general supervision from Communications Supervisor. Exercises no supervision of staff.

This single‑level classification performs the full range of receiving and dispatching emergency calls for the Police Department. Responsibilities center on extensive contact with the public over the telephone, both emergency and non‑emergency, to receive, transmit, and provide factual information, forms, and reports. Incumbents work independently, exercise judgment and initiative, and are fully aware of operating procedures and policies. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.

• Receive and evaluate police, emergency, and business calls during assigned shift and provide information or transfers to appropriate departments or response organizations.
• Dispatch public‑safety emergency units according to established procedures and policies using a computerized dispatch system; determine priority and send appropriate response units.
• Maintain contact with field units, account for location and status, and send backup units as necessary.
• Operate computer, telephone, and radio consoles and telecommunication equipment simultaneously while performing dispatching activities; test and inspect equipment as assigned.
• Log call data in written or automated format; monitor calls after initial dispatch to provide additional coordination or support.
• Enter, update, and retrieve records from the temtape database (stolen vehicles, property, guns, missing persons, etc.).
• Access federal, state, and local law‑enforcement information databases for outstanding warrants, criminal history, and vehicle data; relay such information to sworn staff.
• Act as liaison to the public and representatives of other agencies; provide initial non‑emergency contact and determine nature of contact; provide factual information or direct caller appropriately.
• Maintain accurate departmental and law‑enforcement records, files; research and compile information from such files.
• Attend training, shift briefings, drills, and test scenarios to prepare for emergencies.
• May act as Communications Training Officer (CTO) to orient and train newly hired dispatchers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of: principles and practices of data collection and report preparation; business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques; basic record‑keeping principles; functions, principles, and practices of law‑enforcement agencies;
  Westminster Police Department policies and SOPs; terminology and procedures used in public safety dispatching; operation of computer‑aided communication equipment, including multiple telephone lines and radio systems;
  City and county geography; applicable federal, state, and local laws; modern office practices;
  English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation; techniques for high‑level customer service.
• Ability to: assess and prioritize emergency situations while remaining calm; speak clearly and concisely; type 35 words per minute; memorize code names and locations; read and interpret maps; operate computer‑aided communication equipment; interpret policies and regulations; obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful scenarios; compile and summarize information; perform technical, detailed office support work;…