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What is a police dispatcher and how to become one
A police dispatcher responds to distress phone calls. They coordinate and direct emergency personnel to areas where their services are needed. Also, they review burglar and fire alarms as well as monitor video surveillance.
A police dispatcher alerts law enforcement officers, paramedics, or firefighters as the case may be. Not just this, but they also provide drivers' licenses and warrant information to other police officers. You have to put in data, update and recover data from computer systems. The minimum education requirement for this role is a high school diploma.
Excellent customer service and communication skills are key skills needed for this role. It is also essential that you understand police techniques and procedures. In addition to this, you should have comprehensive knowledge about radio dispatch controls and protocols. You may be required to write and pass a civil service examination to qualify. Averagely, a police dispatcher earns an annual salary of $49,660.
What general advice would you give to a Police Dispatcher?
Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Avg. Salary $37,402
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 4%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.72%
Asian 0.90%
Black or African American 9.14%
Hispanic or Latino 11.11%
Unknown 6.00%
White 72.13%
Genderfemale 64.41%
male 35.59%
Age - 38American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 38Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
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Police Dispatcher career paths
Key steps to become a police dispatcher
Explore police dispatcher education requirements
Start to develop specific police dispatcher skills
Skills 
Percentages Computer Aided Dispatch 15.09% Patrol 7.72% CAD 7.15% NCIC 6.32% Law Enforcement Agencies 5.55% Complete relevant police dispatcher training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New police dispatchers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a police dispatcher based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real police dispatcher resumes.Gain additional police dispatcher certifications
More About CertificationsPolice dispatcher certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific police dispatcher certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for police dispatchers include Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification (EMD) and Emergency Medical Dispatcher.
Research police dispatcher duties and responsibilities
- Rout dispatch calls to police, EMT, and fire departments.
- Dispatch and answer phones for police, fire and ems units to calls for emergency and non-emergency situations.
- Work with programs such as NCIS/LEAPS, CJIS and IMC.
- Assist with completion of subpoenas and warrants.
Prepare your police dispatcher resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your police dispatcher resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a police dispatcher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Police Dispatcher Resume templates
Build a professional Police Dispatcher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Police Dispatcher resume.
Apply for police dispatcher jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a police dispatcher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Police Dispatcher Job
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Average police dispatcher salary
The average Police Dispatcher salary in the United States is $37,402 per year or $18 per hour. Police dispatcher salaries range between $28,000 and $48,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do police dispatchers rate their job?
Police Dispatcher reviews
Working from home makes life much easier to manage.
Pay is not a liveable wage.
Brief the point of contact between customer and driver
Micromanagement from those who think they are superior
Quick paced, professional environment Troubleshooting. Assisting peers with any issues they might have.
Micromanagment from superiors.
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Updated January 8, 2025
