Communications (Dispatch 911)

Dispatch Mission Statement

The Desoto County Sheriffs Department's dispatch center will operate with the intent of professionally and courteously providing a link between the citizens of Desoto County and the law enforcement agency that is dedicated to serve and protect the citizens of this community.

Facts About Dispatchers

Dispatchers are peace officers just like the patrol officers on the street. We do not carry a gun, or drive a police cruiser, but we are just as important as they are. Dispatchers coordinate for the responders.

Dispatchers have many roles but the three main functions of dispatch are life saving, incident stabilization, and property preservation.

A dispatcher's job requires 100% patience. Patience with the public, officers, fire /EMS responders, administrative staff, co workers, media, etc. dispatchers are here to help you, at all hours any day of the year. We never close. Dispatching is an emotionally draining career. Because of this many dispatchers only last 3 to 5 years before they burn out. Dispatching is a tough job, not everyone is suited for it. Only 3% of the population can function as an adequate dispatcher. Dispatchers have to be incredibly adaptable. We have to hear many offensive things. (Domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, suicides, etc)

Many callers are rude, demanding, dense, and overbearing. The dispatcher has been educated to use techniques that will control the caller so the proper information can be gathered with no time being lost.

With most calls to 911 there is some type of decision that must be made. There must be an interpretation of the need and an action based on the interpretation. 911 call takers have been referred to as the gate keeper. The determination the call taker makes on calls is important to the department as a whole. The decision of the call taker or dispatcher to send responders then commits the department to provide its employees, equipment, and resources to the caller.

Even with inherent problems and difficulties of the profession, emergency communications is still one of the most rewarding careers in the field of public safety that one can choose.

Dispatchers live their lives through phones and radios. Dispatchers are the unknown voice on the other end of the line, always heard, seldom seen. The silent heroes, the ones behind the scene.

Would the officer have apprehended the suspect if it were not for the information the dispatcher provided? Would the fire department have put the fire out as quickly if it were not for the additional apparatus the dispatcher sent? Would the EMS crew have saved the heart attack victim without the pre arrival instructions given by the dispatcher?

Frequently Asked Questions: