Communications Center
STAFF
The Communications Unit is one of the busiest areas and a vital part of the St. Cloud Police Department. It is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on 12 hour shifts. The unit is comprised of four Communications Supervisors, seventeen full-time Communications Operators and six part-time Communications Operators who are overseen by the Support Services Manager.
COMMUNICATION SERVICES
Communications has six non-emergency phone lines and three emergency 911 phone lines. Operators monitor multiple radio channels for police, fire, medical, public works and other law enforcement and fire agencies in the area. They also have direct contact by radio with the emergency rooms of all area hospitals.
OPERATORS
Operators play a vital role in providing quality public service. They receive calls from citizens in need of assistance for police, fire and/or medical situations. Communications is also the after-hours emergency contact for other city departments such as the Water Department and the Streets and Drainage Department.
OPERATORS RESPONSE
Upon receipt of a call for service, the Operator gathers information about the call, logs the call in the computer system, evaluates the needs for the citizen and dispatches the proper personnel. Information gathered is used to document the location of calls, types of calls handled, who responds to the scene and why. This can also be used later for investigations and surveys. Operators maintain contact with field personnel at all times and provide additional support personnel as needed.