What are the responsibilities and job description for the POLICE DISPATCHER/CLERK position at City of Cotati?
For additional salary details including but not limited cost of living allowances, certificate pay, longevity pay and holiday pay refer to the City of Cotati Website labor agreements which are listed under “transparent government.” Police Dispatchers are represented by the Cotati Police Officer Association.
DEFINITION:
Under general supervision, receives and processes routine and emergency calls, including 911 and alarms; dispatches police units as required for the City of Cotati Police Department and Sonoma State University Police Department; enters, retrieves, and uses data from various automated law enforcement information systems; coordinates with and transfers calls to other emergency service providers as appropriate; assists in the training of less experienced personnel; performs a variety of clerical and technical duties in support of the Department’s operations; learns applicable policies, procedures, and work methods associated with assigned duties; performs other related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Police Dispatcher/Clerk is expected to independently perform the full scope of assigned police dispatching and records duties. Incumbents are responsible for performing the full range of duties with minimum supervision and apply sound judgment regarding their scope of authority in dispatching personnel.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:
Receives general supervision from the Lieutenant, Sergeant or Corporal. Incumbents in this class do not routinely exercise supervision, but may assist in the training of less experienced personnel.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (include but are not limited to the following)
- Receives and processes routine and emergency calls, including 911 and alarms; dispatches police and public works field units as required; provides pre-arrival information; enters, retrieves, and uses data from various technical automated law enforcement information systems, including the computer aided dispatch system (CAD), Record Management System (RMS), video display terminals, radio dispatching consoles, and related equipment; coordinates with other emergency service providers as appropriate; assists in the training of less experienced personnel when acting as Communications training officer.
Receives and enters calls for service in CAD; determines call priority and dispatches and monitors the status of field units; receive and transfer medical and fire calls; interprets level of service needed through information obtained from field officers or citizens; retrieves information for officers from CLETS; relays essential and confidential information to officers; monitors officers’ safety; coordinates multi-agency responses when necessary; transfers calls to appropriate agencies if warranted.
- Assists citizens with complaints, reports, and requests in person and over the phone; receives fees for reports, repossessions, dog licenses, fingerprints, and vehicle storage.
- Prepares and processes reports to the District Attorney; processes and prepares traffic citations; sends out traffic/loss verification reports.
- Perform a variety of record keeping duties, including maintaining files, indexing, and other general clerical work; may update Dispatch Training Manual; enter, update, and retrieve information in local and county RMS systems, CLETS and NCIC.
- Receives, responds to and documents requests for warrants and DMV printouts; documents vehicle impound information.
- Responds to questions and concerns from the general public, department staff, and other agencies; takes and records telephone and counter reports; provides information as appropriate and resolves service issues and complaints.
- Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/ local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.
- Performs and executes other duties as assigned.