I am submitting comments from our Training Supervisor and Training Coordinator regarding the DCJS curriculum and Active Shooter Dispatcher, specifically:

I do not feel that the current DCJS curriculum is appropriate for agencies that have separation of duties such as ours: calltakers, police dispatcher, and fire dispatchers. It is difficult to teach to students that are training for an entry level position as a calltaker, but then to blend in dispatcher functions to meet practical and testing standards. With that being said, I do not feel that Active Shooter Dispatcher Judgement is appropriate to add to the current Basic lesson plan. If standards could be optional for solely calltakers, then sure. This section will likely be added regardless and I do not wish to necessarily comment on the Town Hall, but more to make you aware that I’m direct on pending changes.

Additionally, last year we tried to get ahead of this and did make a power point and lesson plan for our staff here, which was then followed by HTR training from the police department. Much like CIT where 6 months to a year experience is requested by instructors, this course would be more suitable to revisit for the in depth coverage beyond release to solo duty.

I agree with the above. I understand that DCJS deals with a lot of agencies (of various sizes) but as an instructor it is challenging when there are mandatory requirements that need to be taught and you know that what you are teaching is something that isn’t really going to be used by the student (due to our structure – entry level position is call taker and dispatching is not attained until later).  Making it an optional standard – or even something that could be covered at a later time (for example within 12 months of being released to solo duty) would actually make it more beneficial to the student because they would then have a better foundation so it would actually make sense to them - and isn’t them understanding what they are learning vs. something they are just regurgitating for a test our ultimate goal?