Police Communications Officer

Under general supervision, responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, fire and emergency services; identifies and dispatches appropriate police and security units, and gathers and relays critical information.

SHIFT & SCHEDULE

PRN, Shifts as needed 

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide dispatch services for the Midland Health system; follows and complies with
• Midland County Hospital District Police Department (MCHD PD) policies and procedures to assure the safety of Police Officers, Security Officers, other hospital staff and the public.
• Simultaneously listen to and comprehend telephone, radio, and interoffice communications while processing calls for service.
• Answers incoming emergency and non-emergency calls; interviews callers and gathers details; prioritizes calls for service and determines appropriate personnel to respond; dispatches responders; relays pertinent information to law enforcement and security officers in a concise, organized, and understandable manner; notifies critical incidents to hospital personnel as required.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in all modes of communication to protect the safety of the public and responders
• Respond promptly to matters of public safety and responders.
• Provides information, instructions, and assistance to the public within scope of authority.
• Monitors all areas of the hospital campus always utilizing security camera systems and access control systems; identifying potential security and/or safety risks and reports them to appropriate individual, department or entity, for proper resolution.
• Comprehend and apply state laws, municipal ordinances, organizational policies, and procedures.
• Provides dispatch services for Midland Memorial Hospital and Midland Health facilities; keeps track of law enforcement and security resources, personnel, incidents, and trends.
• Operate multi-channel public safety radio system, including interoperable communications with other agencies.
• Correctly process and record requests for police, fire, and medical services, utilizing direct entry into a computer-aided dispatch system or by following manual call processing procedures.
• Provides detailed call information to officers as needed; maintains status and awareness of MCHD PD Officer locations; monitors message traffic and relays information to Officers.
• Performs inquiries and criminal history checks for Officers through National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS).
• Enters emergency assistance calls into the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) incident logs; inputs law enforcement and criminal justice system information into the TLETS & NCIC computer system as directed; enters and processes data for records, reports, forms, and files; maintains and updates records, files, and system databases ensuring accuracy; queries databases, collects statistical data and compiles data for reports.
• Operate in low-light conditions, discerning distinct colors used by a computer-aided dispatch system, or other visual resources.
• Work in a confined area for 12+ hours and remain seated for long periods of time entering data into various computer systems.
• Document all activity, location, and status in the computer-aided dispatch system for public safety personnel; quickly and correctly disseminate any additional information.
• Monitor and identify activations of various alarm systems, following defined department protocols.
• Contacts and communicates with other law enforcement agencies, jurisdictions, and emergency services agencies for additional information and resources as needed, and relays information regarding incidents.
• Receives and sends information to and from other agencies and jurisdictions.
• Competently perform under stress when confronted with emergency and critical situations.
• Maintains the absolute confidentiality of all records and information.
• Attend/testify in all criminal and civil courts when summoned.
• Be available to work mandatory overtime as required due to manpower or other emergency situations.
• Attend training schools/seminars and other city related events, which may require travel (occasionally overnight).
• As required, act in the absence of the shift supervisor.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED, AND one year of customer service experience, preferably in a high-volume call center; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with CAD/RMS systems preferred. Must be able to pass a typing test with a minimum of 22 words per minute. Some college education is preferred. Must be able to effectively communicate in verbal, written and digital formats with the public, outside entities, and various levels of the organization.
• Other Requirements:
  • This position requires maintaining absolute confidentiality of all records and information. Therefore, you will be required to submit to a pre-employment polygraph examination as part of the pre-employment screening process.
  • Fill out and complete a TCOLE Personal History Statement

• Due to the nature of this position, an extensive background investigation, polygraph, and psychological examination will be conducted on final applicants. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of these steps. Falsifying or omitting information during any stage of the selection process will make you ineligible for employment. All final applicants will be required to take a pre-employment drug screen as part of the pre-employment process. Job offers are contingent upon negative test results.

INELIGIBILITY AND DISQUALIFIERS LIST:

Below is a list of occurrences that may disqualify an applicant either permanently or make the applicant ineligible for hire for a specified period. The causes for disqualification are in accordance with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. These causes include, but are not limited to those listed below:

• HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF a Class A or Class B misdemeanor under the Penal Code or equivalent under federal law, to include the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), within ten (10) years, will result in a temporary rejection.
• HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF OR ADMITTED TO CONDUCT which constitutes a felony under state or federal law, to include the UCMJ. Conviction of or admission to conduct that constitutes a felony will result in a permanent disqualification.

REQUIRED LICENCES OR CERTIFICATIONS:

• Must obtain or be able to obtain a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Telecommunicators License, certificates TLETS/NCIC systems within one year of date of hire.
• REQUIRED EDUCATION, DEGREES, CERTIFICATES, AND/OR LICENSES: 
  • High school diploma or G.E.D certificate required, CPR certification, TCOLE Basic Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate, and TX Telecommunicator License required or must be obtained within one year of hire. Texas Driver’s License, Class C, require US Citizenship, and TCOLE certifications listed above.
• Required Knowledge of:
  • Ability to learn and follow Midland Memorial Hospital policies and procedures.
  • Midland County Hospital District Police Department policies and procedures.
  • Personal computers, and related law enforcement communications equipment.
  • Local and regional geographical areas, road systems, and the locations of landmarks and buildings.
  • Principles of record keeping case files and records management.
  • Legal system and law enforcement agency terminology.
  • Applicable state and Federal rules, codes, and regulations.
  • Modern public safety principles, procedures, and operations.
• Required Skill in:
  • Handling multiple tasks simultaneously, under pressure, and in emergency and stressful situations.
  • Concentrate on assigned tasks through many distractions.
  • Obtaining accurate information from hostile or emotional callers.
  • Communicating clearly and concisely and relaying details accurately.
  • Recalling names, numbers, and locations, and reading maps quickly and accurately.
  • Operating a personal computer utilizing specialized software and entering information into a computer system with speed and accuracy.
  • Public relations and customer service.
  • Effective communication, both verbal and written.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The individual must be able to:

• Stand, walk, sit, stoop, reach, lift, see, speak and hear. Lifting is limited to 35 lbs. for clinical staff and to 50 lbs. for non-clinical staff. The individual must use an assisted-lift device or get another individual(s) to assist with the lift that is over these maximum limits

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a fast paced, high volume call center environment; subject to sitting, standing, and bending, and reaching for extended periods of time; and ability to safely pull, push, lift, and carry items weighing up to forty (40) pounds.
• May be required to work immediately before, during or after an emergency or disaster