Monitors telephones and radio in the dispatch center, answers all incoming calls and ascertains nature of call, gathers all necessary information to transmit or relay. Dispatches police and other emergency response vehicles and broadcasts nature, location and time of incident. Contacts all required personnel in the event of an emergency. Ensures the presence of reserve units by contacting personnel designated for call-back; relays information as required. Receives emergency calls for the Fire Department and dispatches Fire officers and equipment as needed.

Maintains log of radio and telephone communications and the location of personnel and equipment. In the event of an emergency, maintains on-going contact with responding personnel and informs them of all incoming pertinent information. Keeps track of information such as traffic lights out and streets closed and keeps emergency personnel informed. Maintains dispatch center work area and equipment in clean and working condition. Receives complaints from public concerning crimes and police emergencies, broadcasts orders to police radio patrol units in vicinity to investigate complaint.

Receives messages for officers and other department personnel and logs information as necessary. Accesses NCIC computer for inquiries into an individual's background history, registration of vehicles, license checks, criminal history checks, and other relevant information. Logs all criminal history checks. Enters, cancels, and clears information in NCIC computers. Enters appropriate information from incident reports, including stolen property, missing persons, etc. Cancels and clears information when it is no longer valid. Copies reports for “hot files” as needed.