Uniforms in the communications center

[TPLAYER]

How many people are in your communications center?
Are you civilianized or sworn officers?
Are you required to wear uniforms?
How do you feel about that?
Does uniforms make a difference in the work atmosphere?

Thanks,
TPLAYER

[MrJim911]

First off welcome to the board Tplayer. Always good to see another dispatcher. Numbers here are are growing almost daily.

To answer your questions...

We have a total of 17 employees at my agency:

1 Director (Admin only)
1 Deputy Director (Admin only)
1 Training Cooridinator (Training/Dispatch when needed)
3 Supervisors (Dispatchers)
11 Dispatch Staff

All of us are civilian

We are required to wear uniforms.

I have several feelings on the uniform isue. First, they are free so I can't complain. I know what I'm going to wear everyday and I don't have to worry about wear and tear on my own clothes. When I first started guys wore a long sleeve white button up shirt with a maroon and navy blue striped tie. (In the winter we were required to wear long sleeve/in summer we could wear short sleeve without the tie) Also navy blue polyester pants. The women had their choice of the same kind of pants or a skirt. (no tie) I'm no fashion expert but that was terrible. We have since changed to a wine colored polo shirt and black cotton pants...No Tie! Much more comfortable!! Not to mention it looks ALOT better. And we are required to wear black shoes and black socks. That part is no biggie.

Now the big question. Does it make a difference in the work atmosphere? Hmmmmmm..... The public does not have access to our center at all. We do however have the occasional tour or walk through. I think in the citizens eyes we would look more professional wearing uniforms. And that IS important. But I don't feel that our job skills would decrease or we would become un-professional if we were allowed to wear plain clothes. But then I don't think t-shirts or shorts should be allowed. Nice jeans or slacks with a nice polo. In my perfect world I would wear jeans with the shirts that are provided by my agency. The shirts are nice and comfortable. And jeans are always comfortable. So cleanliness and appearance are important but lets not go to extremes. No ties!!

[TPLAYER]

Greetings MrJim911,

Thanks for welcoming into the forum, and thank you for responding to my questions.
Our divison has civilians and officers in the Comm. Center- officers have to wear their uniforms. Civilians do not. But we're looking into that, so I thought I would check around who's doing what.
Oh, by the way- Are they strict on dress code violations?
Hey can you PM me with where your dept's locale.
Thanks again,
TPLAYER
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Our Comm. Center has:

1 Capt.
3 Lt.'s
9 Sgt.'s
3 training staff (2 officers, 1 civilian)
1 Comm. Specialist
1 Alarm Specialist (officer)--deals w/alarm co.'s
6 disp.'s w/2 relief's on each shift (3 shifts)
6 lead telecommunicator's (2 each shift)
10 call takers (6 -911, 4 admin)days, plus 3 more 911 and 2 admin
starting the power shift (11:00a-7:00p)
10 call takers (6-911, 4 admin)early, plus 3 more 911 and 2 admin
starting the late power (7:00p-3:00a)
8 call takers (6-911, 2 admin)late shift(11:00p-7:30a)


As you can see we have alot of people in our division.

[MrJim911]

I'm not worried about posting my agency here. It's TriCom Central Dispatch. We're located in North/East Central Illinois, about 45 minutes west of Chicago. We're the "burbs". We're located in Geneva. We handle St Charles, Geneva, Batavia police Fire and EMS and also Elburn Fire/EMS. Someone told me it's thr largest fire protection area in the state by I haven't confirmed that. Population of about 125,000. We don't have call taker/dispatcher. We are 1 in the same.

As far as the dress code, they don't have to be strict. Your either wearing it or your not. So violations are non-existent. I mean every once in a while you might find yourself wearing white socks instead of black but your not going to get written up for doing that. No one ever forgets to put on their uniform. And they of course make exceptions for the women that get pregnant. The uniform requirement is waived. Uniform is also waived on Christmas and Thanksgiving since it's understood you might be going or coming from a family function. If someone were to violate it in some way it would only be a verbal warning to start off with, with progressive discipline from that point on.

[Basilbob]

My department has 8 civilians currently. We wear the same pants as the officers, but wear polo shirts. We have the option of wearing either long sleave or short sleave.

[ladymoonlite]

We're a larger department, with:

1 Communications Manager
4 Communications Supervisors
28 Full time Telecommunicators
4 part time Telecommunicators

All are civilians, but wear uniforms. Uniforms for TCs are navy blue pants/light blue shirts with accoutrements including badge, name tag (with accreditation insignia :) ) EMD pin and any indication of years of service as applicable. Supervisors & Manager wear white shirts and gold badges instead of silver. We have no direct contact with or visibility to the public unless they are on an accompanied tour of the department.

I like uniforms - I've been in them in one form or another for 14 years or so. I don't have to worry about what to wear, don't have to ruin my own clothing when climbing under consoles to troubleshoot computers or changing toner cartridges or whatever, and, as MrJim said, they are free! Additionally, my department allows $300 a year for maintenance of the uniforms (not to purchase, just to clean!).

I do think they make a difference in the work atmosphere. Not because I think anyone ELSE has any respect for it, necessarily, but I feel that most people, when they put on the uniform, put on a certain attitude with it. Does anyone understand what I mean by that? I'm not sure I can put it in words.

[MrJim911]

I understand what you mean lady, because I have pride in what I do and where I work. So when I put on that polo with the TriCom emblem on it there is a degree of pride that comes with it. I earned the right to wear that uniform. :)

[KYEMT325]

I work for a very small department, our division consists of:

1 Captain of Administration
1 Communications and Information Services Commander (who oversees communications and records, and serves as public relations liason)
1 Senior/Lead Communications officer (me) who runs day to day operations and scheduling, timesheets, etc.
4 Communications Officers
1 Records Clerk

We have department furnished uniforms, which are FBI Tactical Khaki Pants (very comfortable), and Olympic Uniforms polo shirts (the ones used by our bike patrol, again VERY comfortable). we have our last names embroidered and velcro on our right chest, and the departmental patch (subdued) on the left shoulder.

I really believe uniforms work, because they do make you feel more professional about your job and that you have a place in the department. HOWEVER, the Dept of Criminal Justice Training is trying to have a bill passed mandating a training academy for dispatchers (4-6 weeks in length). We don't have a problem with that...but we DO have a problem with their choice of uniforms...they won't let you wear your departments uniform, you must wear their uniform. For men that means navy slacks, black shoes and socks, white button down, tie and navy blazer...for women white button down with tie-type thing, navy slacks or skirt, black shoes. Now, I don't know about you, but I don't think sitting in an uncomfortable suit and tie is going to facilitate being a better communications officer. PLUS, who wears a white shirt? That is the HARDEST in the world to keep clean, and you have to replace them multiple times a year because stains don't come out. Get real we say! So, we are actually fighting the bill just because the head of DOCJT/Communications Section won't back down off this "uniform vision" they have, which NO ONE in the state uses a uniform of that type. I don't think it's a state agency's place to steer every agency towards a uniform policy, that's the agency's decision.

OK, enough griping about that. But yes, I agree that uniforms are a good thing.

Hope the info helps.

[ladymoonlite]

I LOVE the idea of the tactical khakis. I've heard they're very comfortable and easy to maintain.


I'm not sure I understand the problem you have with their uniform - wouldn't you only be in that uniform during the 4-6 week academy? Or are they in some way mandating that once you've taken this class your agency must require it?

And, well, as I said, I wear a white shirt every day, and do manage to keep them clean - a poly/cotton blend is really very easy to maintain. We are also required to wear ties if we are in long-sleeved shirts, and even the women wear them. You have your choice of clip-on or "real" ties, and I choose to wear the real version, but that's just me.

[sgt. w-2]

Our agency has 12 full time dispatchers. Our uniforms are black pants and grey polo shirts, and it's a joke. Half the time I work by myself, and sometimes we have one deputy for the whole county I'm dispatching for. So there I am sitting by myself, talking to our only deputy while I watch a movie on TV, but I look good doing it.

[Noodle]

I really like the idea of uniforms, for big or small departments. They build espirit de corps in the team weather they openly recognize it or not. It adds to the level of professionalism, and helps pull dispatchers closer to the officers as well, because they can visually group you as part of their team. Another plus is that by wearing them it gives everyone something less to talk about. "Did you see what Emanuelle wore to work, I do not think that was professional", and that kind of jive. It also helps with the public perception when you have to work a public window.
I would not recommend poliester pants though. They are required by my department and they suck. They don't move on the chairs but everything else does. So after about a hour or so your legs feel funny, your underpants are not wear you want them, and your pants above your navel. :D talk about uncomfortable dispatching situations.

[KYEMT325]

well, ladymoonlite, the idea is that if they require departments to buy these uniforms for dispatchers in the academy...most departments are NOT going to buy new uniforms for them in 6 weeks, it is a total waste of money to make them all look like catholic schoolchildren just for the academy's sake. And I will be Darned if I am going to switch to an uncomfortable tie and blazer just to satisfy ONE person who wants it at the academy, and have to wear it the rest of my career.

A better idea would be to let the trainee wear whatever their department's current issue uniform is while they're at the academy (so they'll get used to what they have to wear in real life), and those who don't have departmental issue uniforms can wear whatever the academy deems appropriate. That, in my opinion, would be the best way to solve the problem. NOW, the problem is convincing the academy to take that language out of the bill so that we're not MANDATED to do so.

[MrJim911]

I agree with you KYEMT. This academy is going to be all classroom training most likely. People should go to this place in their own uniforms and just be issued a identification card to clip to their shirt or hang around their neck. This results in:

A) Saving your agency money because a card is less expensive then paying for a new uniform through whatever the flat rate will be to send you guys to this academy. aka: lowers the cost of academy training.
1)Or take that extra money and get some more teaching material

B) Saves the academy alot of hassle for having to cooridinate with a uniform store. Instead, print out some cheap plastic ID cards with a clippy thing on the back

C) Makes the dispatchers happy!

[sgt. w-2]

Noodle & Mr. Jim I agree with a couple of the ideas on uniforms such as promoting professionalism and feeling part of the team, but again it depends on the department. We wear black and grey while every Officer we dispatch wears brown or blue uniforms. We are in our own building with no walk-up window so many times the Officers don't even see us during the shift. And also our dress code is not enforced at all. The requirement is that you wear your uniform which is the pants and shirt. I take it upon myself to wear a plain black belt and black shoes. However, our asst. director has shirts too small for him so he wears his uniform shirt untucked, and usually the bottom of his gut his hanging out. Amongst the other dispatchers you will see shirts untucked, no belts, white tennis shoes, flip-flops, flannel shirts over the uniform shirt, and brite white socks. Keep in mind this is with a black/grey uniform. So for the 3 out of 11 dispatchers that we have that are Police Officers, the uniform brings morale down more than it raises. I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

[ladymoonlite]

"Amongst the other dispatchers you will see shirts untucked, no belts, white tennis shoes, flip-flops, flannel shirts over the uniform shirt, and brite white socks." Wow, this is some scary stuff! Whose job is it to enforce the dress code and WHERE IS THIS PERSON? I hope it's not the "asst. director"...with "shirts too small for him so he wears his uniform shirt untucked, and usually the bottom of his gut his hanging out." And if it is, maybe it's time to take it up a notch?

KYEMT I'm really glad that Kentucky is taking some initiative to realize that our positions are professional and should be recognized and properly trained, and that we're not just officer wannabes. I sure hope that they can get this ridiculous uniform issue worked out. Even if you have to have a "uniform" for the six weeks, why not make it bring your own black slacks (or whatever) the the Academy provides 2-3 polo shirts with logos, and id badges like MrJim suggests. This would eliminate the "dress code" problem (which is probably what they want to avoid) and you'd still be able to wear casual attire. Good luck figuring this one out, and let us know how it turns out!

[KYEMT325]

Ladymoonlite, that's not how it works here. The academy doesn't provide anything except the dormitories to stay in and the classrooms to teach in. The department provides everything else. The big problem is that they're trying to mandate what kind of uniforms that your department has to buy you, and that's wrong. I'd rather see us just lose our NCIC terminal and not go to any classes than to let them run over us like that. It's our money that's buying it, we should buy them OUR uniforms and if they don't like it...then they can just get over it.

[ladymoonlite]

This has gotten WAY off the subject of Uniforms in the Communication Center, huh? I'm interested in the "Training Academy's" function, though... perhaps it's time to start a new thread!

[GOLFMAN700]

Our uniforms are probably the ugliest around. First of all I work for the Sheriff's department so we have brown, but brown would be a step up from what we have, which is TAN. Thats right all tan our uniforms make janitors look good.

We are issued two short sleeve and two long sleeve and two pair of pants. We are issued a badge and name plate white on black. We also have the option of buying a commando type sweater, which is brown. On the uniforms we have the Sheriff's department patch along with a communications tab below the patch.

Below is our chain of command.

Operations Captain
Administrative Lt.
Communications Sgt.(only works mon-fri, 7-3)
Shift Lt.
Shift Sgt.

17 total dispatchers
6 assigned to 1st(6am-2pm or 6:30am-2:30pm)
6 assigned to 2nd(2pm-10pm or 2:30pm-10:30pm)
5 assinged to 3rd(10pm-6am or 10:30pm-6:30am)

TPLAYER do you work Milwaukee CO Sheriff?

[MrJim911]

2 shirts and 2 pants??!! That's ridiculous... Minimum should be 5 of each to get you through the week. How often do you get to order new clothes?

[GOLFMAN700]

When the old ones fall apart, unless you pay for them out of pocket. If you paid for them out of pocket your looking at about $100 plus for a set.

[MrJim911]

If I were you I would take it upon myself to do a little survey of the surrounding agencies and ask how their uniforms are issued as far as how many or how much money they are given. Then take that info to your admin and ask for something that makes sense. I forget the exact amount but my agency gives each employee about $300 each year to get new uniforms. But they don't wear out too fast. I still have pants that are 2 years old. New hires get more since they start with no uniforms.

Also ask if the deputies at your Sheriffs Office only get allotted 2 uniforms, my guess would be no. Again we see the inequality... :(

[Cyclone911]

We're in the middle of a uniform change in the center I work in. We currently wear Sheriff's Uniforms; green polyester pants with brown stripe down the side and brown shirt with our 7 point star badge, nameplate, and position (mine says Dispatcher, Supervisor's say Supervisor, etc). We will be getting into new uniforms as soon as everyone has them, they will be navy EMT pants (the one with the thousand pockets, lol) and khaki shirt with a 7 point star sheriff's star embroidered. We will have 3 pants and 3 shirts, shirt are a combo of long sleeved and short sleeved (you get to pick).

And finally.....our chain of command in our Department is as follows:

Director (1)
Supervisors (3)
Telecommunicators (9)

All three can dispatch, including director. We work a 6-3 rotation, 8 hr shifts. There are always two Telecommunicators working at all times.

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