Need Support/Have Questions!

[Blspirit911]

:eek:

Hello Friends!

What a fablulous site! I tried a few years back to get on at several PDs and our local center..but to no avail...partly because of some history with drugs and alcohol. I just need to wait another year here and perhaps I will find something. I have changed my life over the past 7 years and hope that someday I can contribute to this line of work. I need to ask dispatchers out there, what made them decide (if not already in that area of employment) to become a dispatcher...why so many can not stay..and also if you really enjoy what you do? I volunteered a couple of years at our local crisis clinic and found I enjoyed it very much. I have also been to many centers and "sat-in" on calls. I believe it is something I would like to try. Is there hope for someone with a history such as mine? I am very up front to all places I have tried for employment and have nothing to hide. I figure if it happens it happens, if not then it won't. I am putting myself out there again, however I may have to make a move to do it....however I feel...that it was not only my history but I live in a larger area..where perhaps there are more qualified applicants. I am new here so any advice will be greatly appreciated!!

Wish me luck!

[MrJim911]

I'll try to answer all your questions, I love questions!

I became a dispatcher accidentally. (As I think no one grows up WANTING to be a dispatcher) I had been testing at agencies to become a police officer. My mother-n-law found an ad looking for a 911 dispatcher. I thought what a great way to pass the time and get my foot in the door. Well here I am over 3 years later and still I am a dispatcher and forever will I be one. I came in to the job thinking, as many people do, that anyone can do it and it probably isn't that hard. How wrong I was. The training was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. Why do so many leave? Because they can't do it. It's a s simple as that. This job is not for everyone, or even for alot. Only a few can handle the stress. Our profession is rated the 3rd highest stressed job in the country, behind only air traffic controllers and neuro-surgeons. The turn-over rate is high and alot of people burn-out after about 5-7 years. Do I enjoy it? YES! I live off the stress and excitement. I love being FIRST on the scene!! As far as your history I cannot comment. That will be strictly up to the department hiring you... All I can say is keep trying and keep looking!!! And Good Luck!!!! :D

[Blspirit911]

Thank you Jim!

I appreciate all of your input. I will keep trudging on! I guess the only way I will ever know, is by giving it a hard earned try. I don't know what it is, but over the years I still keep coming back to this occupation. The job I have now is very stressful..most ppl cant handle the job I have! I will always regret not trying if I don't take the risk and put myself out there! Thanks again!

[DispNowCopL8r]

Well maybe you could send a couple questions my way, considering I live in the same area you do.

I know first hand that all or most of the Comm Centers in the area are hurting for applicants. As I am sure it's a nation wide problem.

But reguarding your past, I personally think backgrounds is the most important part of the testing process. This is a professional business we are all in, and it shows a lot about your character. But if it's minor in nature you shouldn't have much of a problem. But you never know until you ask. I don't know much about what background investiagtors look for, but it's always worth the call, especially if it's something you always wanted to do. Might want to consider some of the private Comm Centers in the area (as opposed to the goverment run ones) I think they are a little less strict on backgrounds, but other than that...

Good luck.

[Blspirit911]

Thanks for the reply! I am excited to say that I may have to make a move to dispatch, but I spoke with a city in Montana...that is going to see about testing for a position there thru Washington State. I have applied all over here, although that was a couple of years ago, I did happen to ask why I didnt make the cut.I passed the perfex test and interviews but it was my background.. I could probably wait and apply again in 2002...but perhaps if I could get on in a smaller city at least I would have my foot in the door. However the pay in this small town is the worst Ive heard but I would be moving to a town where cost of living is different. DispNowCopL8tr, how long have you been in the business? Do you enjoy what you do? Any info would be greatly appreciated...and thanks for the luck I will carry it with me.

[DispNowCopL8r]

If that's what it takes, a move the montana might just be a good thing.

But again, I really have no way of commenting on your background, because #1 I have no idea what you did, and #2 Even if I did, I'm not a BI, so I really wouldn't have any suggestions.

I have been with the department I'm currenlty employed for a couple years, and did some other Volunteer Work, etc. for a couple years prior.

I love the job, but I do have my bad days...just like every one else does. And even with all the extra Sit-A-Longs I did prior to, It still caught me by suprise when I took my first 911 call. This job is very difficult to keep, and not take home with you, and I have been lucky not to get any calls that have affected me. But in the end I still love it and will always remember my years, when I'm out on the street in a few years.

Just be honest and tell them that even though you have a flawed background, you really want to do this job, and really think you'll make a difference, and that you have learned from your mistakes. And you just might have to wait some time, before they will believe that you have learned from it. But you never know until you try.

[Mtcat]

Blspirit911

I have been a dispatcher in a small Montana community for 6 years. And Yes the wages are very low, I started out at $5. an hour, but that has gone up since then.( $7.75 WOW ).
In the smaller departments I think is more friendly, you know all the officers personally because they can come into dispatch any time they want( in my department anyway ).
I don't know what your past is like , but good luck in achieving what you want. Dispatching is very stressful but I love every bit of it, I think you need to be a bit of an adreniline junkie, Probably why I became and EMT also..


Dispatchers tell cops where to go !

[Lupey]

Im up in New Hampshire and I am at $13/hr with a contract negotiations coming up again jun of 2002.

[CPD-Dispatcher]

I am in Central Ohio and am at $15.06 hr and I have only been at this Department a little under a Year.

[MrJim911]

This is my agencies pay scale: We go by "Steps"

They go 1A/1/2/3/4/5/6/7.

Get hired with no prior experience and you obviously start at 1A.

1A-$30,528 ($14.68)
1--$32,054 ($15.41)
2--$34,138 ($16.41)
3--$36,186 ($17.40)
4--$38,160 ($18.35)
5--$40,068 ($19.26)
6--$42,071 ($20.23)
7--$44,174 ($21.24)

If you start with experience than you can start anywhere from 1A to Level 3. Depends on how much and how long ago. The decision to be moved to the next Pay Step is determined by your Supervisor with approval by the Deputy Director. It is a yearly evaluation. Certain goals have to be met and your total score has to be a certain percentage depending on what step your about to move up too. For Example: To move from Step 6 to final step 7 you have to score a 95% to get your full step (5%). And a minimum of 90% to get a half step (2.5%)
And we also get a Cost of Living increase each fiscal year. For example I'm currently at Step 3 so on May 1st of 2002 I'll be moving to Step 4 but the figures above do not include the additional 3.5% for cost of living. So take the $38,160 and add that 3.5% and that's what it will be for me. Supervisors start out at $35,678 ($17.15) and max out at $51,628 ($24.82). It's the same for our Training Coordinator.

You also have to factor in (TIC) time. Telecommunicator In Charge. If the Supervisor is off on a given day then the person with the most seniority is TIC. That is an extra $1.68 an hour added to your normal hourly rate. And of course OT, and Double OT on Sundays. I think that covers it.