There is a standing joke within our industry the only person who can tell a police officer "where to go" and get away with it is a 911 Dispatcher. There is a lot of truth to this statement.
And so it is fitting at this time for us to give recognition and tribute to our behind the scenes heroes in the 911 dispatch center at the conclusion of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
Our 911 Dispatchers are the first contact most people have with the police department when they call for help. Whether the call is an emergency or just someone looking for information, our Communications Center handles nearly 500,000 phone calls on an annual basis.
Our dispatchers take tremendous pride in the services they provide the community and the police officers in the field. Many folks do not know this fact, but 911 Dispatchers also provide dispatching services for the Lakeland Fire Department in addition to handling police calls for service. Their work day is anything but normal, unless you consider high stress and life-or-death decision making a normal work day!
911 Dispatchers may be behind the scenes in our 911 Communications Center, but they are truly on the front lines in our efforts to provide public safety services to the community. Our thanks to all for a job well done.
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
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