The University of Central Florida Police Department is looking to add two new staff members to its 24-hour communications center to respond the campus’ 911 calls.
The dispatchers are first point of contact for emergency callers. They note details and safely dispatch the officers. It is important to note that dispatchers are not first responders.
“Dispatchers are a critical lifeline both for victims and for our officers,” UCFPD Deputy Chief Brett Meade said in a release. “Their role is valuable and crucial to achieve our mission of providing a safe environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors.”
Junior criminal justice major Chris Walton has been a dispatcher for two years. Much like Walton, dispatchers are eligible for free tuition up to six hours on top of their salary, as well as full health benefits.
“I think the big appeal is that you’re helping so many people as a call-taker,” Walton said. “We are the first person they’ll hear, and that really resonates with somebody because we’re listening to their needs to try to understand what they’re going through.”
Dispatchers are responsible for calls from 63,000 students, 11,000 employees and all of the daily visitors on campus.
The job posting can be found here starting March 4. The application will be open for two weeks.
