what's on the written test for a Police Dispatcher?

Answer 1

it's mostly questions about calls, text entries of complaints taken by 911 ops etc
all multiple choice.
you read a paragraph and answer questions about what the officers are doing... tag #s addresses etc
it's been 5 yrs since i took it and got hired... i have forgotten the specifics.
i remember it being really common sense stuff and not very difficult

Answer 2

I am a dispatcher and the test is basic stuff.... Read a map and answer a corresponding question... Very basic knowledge and common sense questions. How hard it is depends on how smart you are really. It's pretty easy stuff. Good Luck

Answer 3

The one I took a few years ago was basic high school stuff and a few scenario type law enforcement questions. Very basic police academy type test, mostly answered on common sense so you don't need a vast knowledge of law enforcement. It was all multiple choice for us. It might differ between state and agency though. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I think I can help you with this question as I was the Communications Sergeant who administered these tests. Every department is different so I'll try to be as general as I can.

- You will be asked why you want to be a dispatcher. Give a brief, truthful answer. If you want the job because you hope it eventually leads to a 'police officer' position then say so. If you want it because it's a steady job with good pay and benefits and good chances for advancement, then say so. They like someone who is somewhat career-oriented.
- Who is the police chief of the department? Why do you want to work for that particular department? What, if any, research did you do to find out about the job? If you want to say that one way you researched the job was to ask questions about it to serving and retired police officers who were involved in that field, then go ahead. I, for example, am a 28-year retired sergeant who was a senior supervisor in a large police communications center. You asked my opinion. That shows initiative on your part.
- As another answerer already said, they must know if you can multi-task. To do this they may speak from a timed script or play a pre-recorded tape of questions and/or incoming police calls. Your tester may ask you to hand-copy something on a prepared list then, while you're doing that, he (or a recorded voice) will give you an address, phone number, or licence number you must copy down. Then get right back to what you were doing. This may happen a couple of times so just be prepared to mentally shift gears back and forth. It's not designed to trick you or cause you to fail. Relax and enjoy it!
- I expect you have already taken a typing test, but if not then be prepared to do so. They look for reasonable speed, but more likely they prefer accuracy.
- Whatever the tests consist of, the tester knows you will be nervous so don't worry about appearing that way. However, be sure to make eye contact, don't drum your fingers on the table, really listen to what they say or ask you, and you will be (and appear to be) more relaxed and self-confident.
- It's not very important, but try to find out what Alpha codes your department uses. i.e. A=Adam or Alpha, B=Bravo or Boy, C=Charlie, etc. Read them over a few times, but don't bother trying to memorize them. If you can throw some of these codes into the conversation it's great, but don't show off.
- A dispatcher's job is very difficult and very stressful. Anyone who says otherwise is blowing smoke out of their a*s. It is *not* a relaxing job drinking coffee with your feet up on the desk. Your decisions and dedication to the job are sometimes all there is between officers going home to their families at the end of their shift, or being in a hospital or morgue. I speak from long experience. This is leading up to another possible question; what do you do to relieve stress? Do you exercise? Go for long walks? Play with your dog? Surf the net? Just don't say that you go out drinking with your friends. :-)
- Confidentiality. This will come out somewhere in your test or conversation. You may be asked, "During your shift you become aware that the mayor was picked up for DUI in a neighboring jurisdiction. Who can you tell about this?" You get the picture. Confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of police communications. You will have wide access to important and confidential information on your own department's computer system, FBI and Homeland Security data, NCIC, CPIC, etc.

There's lots more that could happen, but just remember to be yourself, be honest, and be confident. Good luck!

Answer 5

i'm sure your main objective is to know how to multi-task