This is not your regular desk job. There is something different every day!
SALARY $3,724 - $5,240 a month + 7% City paid PERS Retirement System
Imagine starting your day as a Police Dispatcher with the Westminster Police Department. You come in at 6:30 p.m. to start your shift and sit at the dispatch console. Your first call is a traffic accident with injuries. The next call is an upset homeowner reporting her house broken into while she was away. Another caller is despondent over the breakup of his marriage and contemplating suicide. You then receive a call from a frantic liquor store clerk reporting he was just robbed at gunpoint and shots were fired inside the store. A responding officer locates the suspect vehicle and goes into pursuit. During all of this activity the phones keep ringing while officers are making car stops, running license plates, warrant checks, and requesting paramedics and tow trucks. Teamwork and the ability to multi-task are vital to effectively handling this fast paced career. Besides, how often do you get a chance to tell a cop where to go?
The Communications Division handles nearly 150,000 telephone calls per year and 40,000 emergency 9-1-1 calls per year. Dispatchers answer and prioritize 9-1-1 calls, emergency and business lines; monitor numerous police radio channels and dispatch officers and equipment as required. Dispatchers are an integral part of police patrol operations. They are the primary link between the public and officers in the field. Making quick, accurate and sound decisions is crucial. The ability to learn new material and recall this information is extremely important. The Communications Center is a 24-hour, 7-day a week operation, requiring shift work, weekends, and holidays on a rotational basis. Shift assignments and vacations are based on seniority. Dispatchers work a 3/12 schedule. For further information on benefits for Police Dispatchers, see below.
The Ideal Candidate
Comfortable talking to the public
React quickly, efficiently, and calmly in emergency situations
Ability to speak and write in a clear and concise manner
Accurate listening and comprehension skills
Multi-task oriented
Elicit information from persons in varied states of mind
Motivated and detail oriented, with a strong work ethic
Learn and utilize police codes
Demonstrated computer entry skills
Ability to work a flexible work schedule
Police Dispatcher Benefits
Retirement Benefits: The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The City's contract provides the 2.5% @ 55 formula and single highest year salary calculation. The employee pays 3.513% toward this benefit. The City does not participate in Social Security. Optional employee participation in Section 457 supplemental retirement plans. City contributions toward medical insurance are based on length of employment.
Insurance Benefits: The City's cafeteria benefits plan provides $967 per month towards the purchase of health, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as additional voluntary products. Unused cafeteria plan dollars may be received by the employee as taxable income. A pre-tax flexible spending account is also available for health care and dependent care expenses. The City also provides a City-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Long Term Disability (LTD) plan.
Educational Incentive: Employees may receive an additional 5% of base pay for possessing an AA degree; or an additional 10% of base pay for possessing a BA/BS degree.
Bilingual Pay: $150 per month for demonstrated proficiency in specified languages.
Tuition Reimbursement: Tuition Reimbursement up to $1,000 per fiscal year for approved courses is available.
Vacation: Employees earn 120 hours of paid vacation during their first year of service. An additional eight hours is earned for each additional year of service up to five years (maximum of 160 hours). Additional benefits apply after 20 years of service.
Holidays: Employees receive 80 hours of paid holiday.
Sick Leave: Employees earn 96 hours of paid sick leave per year.
To apply for Police Dispatcher, you may download the application from our Human Resources page.
emergency 9-1-1 calls per year. Dispatchers answer and prioritize 9-1-1 calls, emergency and business lines; monitor numerous police radio channels and dispatch officers and equipment as required. Dispatchers are an integral part of police patrol operations. They are the primary link between the public and officers in the field. Making quick, accurate and sound decisions is crucial. The ability to learn new material and recall this information is extremely important. The Communications Center is a 24-hour, 7-day a week operation, requiring shift work, weekends, and holidays on a rotational basis. Shift assignments and vacations are based on seniority. Dispatchers work a 3/12 schedule. For further information on benefits for Police Dispatchers, see below. 
