Time to Answer 911’s Call for Help

The Orange County Grand Jury’s conclusion that adding dispatchers to a police emergency system would help men and women in a high-stress job and also would reduce overtime pay warrants a closer look.

The grand jury studied the operations of the Emergency Communications Bureau of the Sheriff’s Department. The panel found that having too few staffers means the emergency operators frequently work overtime, sometimes as much as 16 hours at a stretch, with little if any time for breaks.

Those working conditions are burdensome to personnel who are required to evaluate 911 calls for ambulances and paramedics, fires and police, and quickly determine appropriate responses. The hours also cost the department much overtime.

The grand jury recommended that the department hire six new dispatchers. It said the extra staff would cost about the same because overtime pay would be reduced.

In addition, the panel said replacing sergeants in supervisorial positions with civilians, as has been done at some police departments without a loss of efficiency, would cut costs by nearly $240,000 a year.

A Sheriff’s Department captain said the county’s bankruptcy in 1994 has meant tough times for all agencies, including the Sheriff’s Department. Adding staff has been difficult. However, if it can be done and money be saved in the process, that’s the way to go.

The grand jury also recommended training staff to help the three dozen dispatchers deal with the emotional impact of some of the horrific crimes and disasters in which they are involved. That’s a good idea. The days of police officers taking anything that came their way because that was part of the job should be over. Hearing screams over the telephone, dealing with especially savage mayhem, can require counseling by a trained professional.

The dispatchers are expected to answer nearly 900,000 calls this year, a number projected to grow 10% a year. The importance of getting the information quickly and accurately means those holding the jobs can’t be so overworked that their efficiency suffers. The communications system is a vital part of police work. Public safety depends on quick, clear communications in an emergency.