I'm applying to become a dispatcher, just got done with the interview w/ the committee.
2007-01-10 16:42:06 · 13 answers · asked by bloodsanctum 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
nope..its way better to b a cop
2007-01-11 14:45:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It would be a good start. Continue your education while being a dispatcher. Some areas you have to be 21 before becoming an officer, but younger to be a dispatcher. If you start as a dispatcher you do learn the system and how things work. You may also learn that police work is not for you. What ever you decide to do do it well because the police officer on the road depends a lot on the dispatchers and it could be a matter of life and death. Can you handle that? Good luck.
2007-01-11 06:58:52 · answer #2 · answered by KR22 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As a fire dispatcher, I would say I have learned TONS being in dispatch. I was originally a line firefighter, and volunteered(YES I AM CRAZY) to make the switch to 8 hour days dispatching. I have learned more about our command structure, response districts, radio order models, background support(y'know who to call when you need to call someone that does that one thing that needs to be taken care of but you aren't gonna do it), and a deeper appreciation of the absolute chaos that ensues with one simple phone call. I have learned how to deal with that hysterical caller(victim, patient, witness), and how to "relax" in the torrent of stress.
Is it a good starting point? Alot of our officers here actually rotate for a while into the position to:
1- learn that just because the dispatcher isn't waiting on edge for them to talk, they do care and really are on edge when they go into a potentially dangerous situation(yeah dispatcher DO care)
2- to learn the best communications model so that the most information can be gotten in the least amount of time or radio traffic.
3- learn about call "traiging" and how one call may not seem more important than another, but based on information in the call, what places the priorites and why.
So if you want to go into dispatching to jump start your police officer career, by all means, do it, because one thing is for certain- there are NOT ENOUGH dispatchers to handle the calls that come in!!!
2007-01-12 20:11:33 · answer #3 · answered by FyrTygrr 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The wife of a friend of mine started as a dispatcher. Couple years later she became an officer. She retired last year as the Assistant Police Chief.
Get yourself a college degree. Start a good physical fitness program. Learn everything you can from the officers.
Go for it. . .
2007-01-11 01:03:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
It is better than nothing really. You will be able to become familiar with the uses and ways of talking on the radio. You might also get to meet a few people that might be able to help you along the way.
Another good way to get your foot in the door of becoming a police officer is to work in a jail. You will get to see a lot of the people you will be dealing with, and you will also get to see a lot about the law in there to.
Good luck
2007-01-11 09:19:42 · answer #5 · answered by deftonehead778 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definitely, yes. It will give you points in your application for the law enforcement. I wish you luck in becoming a police officer. I know because i am also trying to be a police officer. I have applied to alot of departments and unfortunately I was not chosen. I almost made it with the lapd, school police and detention officer but I still have a chance. What ever you do do not tell them everything that you have done. Dont tell them what they dont want to know. I learned that from being honest. Sometimes being honest is not the best thing to do. Trust me. Also, if you want to be a police officer apply to many agencies you dont have nothing to lose but also remember that whatever you put in one application it has to be the same as other applications. Best of luck. I hope you get the job.
2007-01-11 00:57:37 · answer #6 · answered by iceman213 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Its a good start if you have trouble getting hired as an officer. You give the brass a chance to get to know you instead of relying on a short interview.
2007-01-11 09:16:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
if you dont get it another good start to becoming a police officer would to become a correctional officer. they pay you to go school, and in most states you would only have to take a cross-over class to be come a police officer.
2007-01-11 00:56:01 · answer #8 · answered by steve B 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Nah, you'll be pigeon holed in that job for ever. Bribe your Health and Safety Commission it will get you on the job sooner.
2007-01-11 00:46:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
It's how I started. Education is increasingly important as well.
2007-01-11 04:17:32 · answer #10 · answered by TCSO 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
you know the lingo, and how the system works. its a good jumping point.
2007-01-11 00:50:31 · answer #11 · answered by Jen 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋