Communication with Dispatch Info for ARPD officers

[Mark Hansley]

Hello. This post is to inform officers about dispatch and how they can help you and you can help it. Dispatching is becoming very popular especially in the ARPD. Dispatch is not there to boss you around or be mean, they are there to organize things and makes sure everyone gets the help they need. Dispatch can help you with these things:

- Run MDC checks on licenses, car registrations, and citizen statuses
- Provide GPS tracking on suspects
- Acknoledge back-up requests and will keep asking for a unit nearby until someone responds
- Dispatch SAPD members to station for investigation requests
- Will take emergency calls via PM to get extra information if needed
- Can dispatch FD, EMS, and Coast Guard to your location
- Acknoledge pursuits, takedowns, and officer down

Some ways you can help dispatch are:

- Give us your 10-20 (location) every 3-5 minutes so we can keep track of where you are in case of an emergency
- Listen to us. We arent going to ask you to do something unreasonable
- LISTEN to the radio for bullets, announcements, warnings, and crimes, pursuits, stops, and emergencies in progress
- Dont feel shy. If we are asking for an available unit in vicinity of idlewood for an armed robbery and you are in idlewood and doing NOTHING else.
RESPOND TO THE CALL and tell dispatch that you are responding. You are the closest one and will give help quickest

Remember, Dispatch isnt always online especially in the later hours of the day (real life) when there are police shortages. Thanks guys, Ben