A total of 19 dispatchers from across Kentucky, including Whitley County E-911’s Katie G. Roysdon, graduated from the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s (DOCJT ) Public Safety Dispatch Academy on July 16 and are now ready to begin answering the call to aid both citizens and law enforcement officers of the commonwealth.
“Dispatchers are the heroes who connect law enforcement with Kentuckians during some of the greatest moments of need, and their work is so important in a time of crisis,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “I want to thank these graduates for taking on this important job and supporting Kentuckians across the commonwealth. Congratulations and good luck.”
Dispatch basic training is mandatory for any sworn or civilian employee who will dispatch law enforcement officers by radio at a Criminal Justice Information Systems agency. Graduates of the academy have successfully completed a highly structured and comprehensive curriculum to satisfy mandated training requirements. Over four weeks, the graduates of Class 166 received 164 hours of academy instruction to satisfy these requirements.
Major training areas included identifying the role and responsibilities of the dispatcher, correct phone and radio procedures, handling emergency and nonemergency calls for service, using emergency medical dispatch protocols and using the state and national criminal databases.
“You are embarking on an honorable career today as certified public safety dispatchers,” DOCJT Commissioner Mike Bosse said. “The profession you have chosen requires a high degree of commitment, honor and professionalism. I commend you and wish you the best of luck in your careers.”
