The Communications Division of the Police Department is under the command of one of the Department’s Patrol Sergeants who is a licensed instructor for Emergency Police, Fire, and Medical E911 Dispatching. This Sergeant insures that all training is provided to our Communications Officers in compliance with State of Missouri statute and other communication regulatory entities.
Our Communications Officers are on duty 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. We handle not only incoming E-911 telephone calls for service, but Officers answer all other calls that may not come in on the 911 lines. Last year our breakdown was 2,747 incoming E-911 calls and 47,526 other calls (not 911) contacting the Department. The average is 7.53; E-911 calls per day and 130 other telephone calls. The Communications Officers responsibility does not end however with merely answering the call and dispatching appropriate responders to it. Communications follow up the call with detailed call logging, checking for officer safety and are alert to respond additional resources to assist officers on the call. Much of the post telephone call handling is accomplished via radio transmission. Our Communications Officers are in touch with local, county, state and federal law enforcement through a newly implemented statewide radio system. Our communications center also maintains and operates the only state and federal computer system in the county and are able to respond to officer requests for vehicle information or checking the status of individuals through state and national data bases.
Knowing how to access this information requires training, certification, more training and re-certification on a regular basis. Changing computer operating systems and upgrades in radio technology and equipment present constant challenges that our operators must accept and meet.