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University of Houston�s Police Dispatch
The University of Houston Department of Public Safety has its
own dispatch center. The campus community often sees the police
officers, security officers and parking enforcement assistants
working out in the field and serving the campus community. The
one group of individuals you may never see are the University of
Houston Police Dispatchers. When you call the University of
Houston Police Department, 713-743-3333, you will always hear
the voice of a police dispatcher.
The majority of the calls are simple calls for service; door
unlocks, money transfers and escorts. When a call comes into
Dispatch, they try to get as much information as possible from
the caller, assess the situation, determine the level of the
response, dispatch the appropriate personnel and then monitor
radio traffic for the safety and security of all personnel
involved. All this has to happen in a matter of seconds.
Dispatchers are also responsible for reporting caller
information. Along with the police reporting system, they must
also know and operate the state and national criminal
information systems. Coordinating responses is not easy and
takes a special skill set. To say that a Dispatcher needs to be
a multi-tasker would be putting it lightly. They operate a
variety of police systems, including the emergency sirens, fire
alarms, and a multitude of computers. Each dispatcher is
required to complete a state mandated certification program.
Basic certification includes a minimum of one year as a
dispatcher and the completion of 40 hours of the basic
telecommunications course.
There are 7 police dispatchers working 7 days a week, 24 hours a
day. Last year they answered approximately 300,000 telephone
calls. Out of those calls, 80,616 required additional responses.
Also last year, they handled 1,856 door unlocks, 16,251 special
service requests, and 1,411 fire alarm calls. They also handle
radio and telephone calls related to offenses, arrests, traffic
accidents, traffic stops and medical assistance. To say the
least, their days are full. The comforting thing to remember is
that when you call the University of Houston Police Department,
someone will always answer your call and that someone is a
University of Houston Police Dispatcher.
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