Personnel within Communications Division are known as Police Service Representatives (PSR’s). PSR’s perform a variety of functions necessary to coordinate routine and emergency operations. These functions are:
Emergency Board Operator (EBO) – Receives and processes telephone requests from citizens. A 9-1-1 dispatcher must make independent decisions, which affect the safety of police officers, and the community, which includes determining the urgency of requests received and the appropriate actions to take. A 9-1-1 dispatcher averages 155-230 calls per shift.
Radio Telephone Operator (RTO) – Dispatches patrol units using radio, digital terminal and other methods in accordance with urgency of requests for service. A single operator can be responsible for as many as 50 units.
Auxiliary Telephone Operator (ATO) – Processes calls for alarms, outside agencies as well as requests from field units for additional information or resources.
Bureau Communications Coordinator (BCC) – Oversees and monitors all activity in a specified police bureau including urgent field situations and officer emergencies. Networks with outside agencies.