Dispatch

Springfield Police Department dispatchers receive emergency and non-emergency phone calls for law enforcement service needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dispatchers guide callers through stressful situations while obtaining and relaying vital information to officers in the field. In addition, dispatchers also maintain an ongoing awareness of the location and activity for all field units via radio communication and software systems.

All calls for service requiring a response by police officers are routed through Dispatch.  These professionals are responsible for timely response of patrol officers based upon prioritization of calls for service.  Officers frequently require information to efficiently perform their duties and request this information from Dispatch.  Dispatchers are responsible for providing support for as many as 18 or 20 officers during the daytime when detectives are working as well as support for non-sworn staff working in the field.

The Department employs a computer aided dispatch system that facilitates prioritization of calls for service, however the dispatchers must access a number of database systems to respond to inquiries from officers.  These members are also call takers at various times of the day when records personnel are unavailable.  Monitoring other local police organizations, working in concert with fire and emergency medical services, providing direct support for Springfield Police Officers, responding to the needs of emergency calls, alarms and routine business, dispatchers are the hub of the organization’s activities.

SPD is fortunate to have our dispatchers in-house at the Springfield Justice center, which is a tremendous resource in serving our community.