The 11th and 12th Classes of the Richmond Police Emergency Dispatcher’s Academy graduated Dec. 19 to become communications officers for the Department.
“Our communications officers are truly on the front line when they answer 911 calls. They are trained professionals who direct help to those in need. It’s not an easy job. It takes a special person with the right training and temperament to handle what they do,” said Captain Will Smith, who is in charge of the Richmond Police Division of Emergency Communications.
DEC communications officers complete 20 weeks of training in the academy, including hands-on use of the Department’s 911 system and radio dispatch. They are responsible for dispatching radio calls for Richmond Police and Richmond Fire and Emergency Services. Communications officers also complete a ride-along with a police officer so they can see the impact their role has on officers on patrol.
During fiscal year 2008, DEC handled 847,044 calls – inbound and outbound – with 629,521 calls coming from citizens. Communications officers frequently handle more than 150 calls during an eight-hour shift and, on occasion, have handled more than 250 calls in a shift, especially during inclement weather like ice storms.
11th Basic Dispatchers’ Academy Class
Kimberly Allen
Jarrott Brown
Charles Finke
Raynord Flowers
Felicia King
12th Basic Dispatchers’ Academy Class
Tomeica Bynum-Shelton
Rodney DeBerryn
Ernest Ford
Stephanie Gagne
Tasharnda Gainey
Nicholas Garland
Chante Layne
Ashley Marlow
Robin Peters-Brown
Monique Reid
Felicia Winston
Lashanda Wyatt
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