Individuals processing 9-1-1 telephone calls and dispatching emergency services in our state (known as Dispatchers, 9-1-1 Communications Officers, and Telecommunicators), specifically for law enforcement matters and law enforcement agencies regulated by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), should have the requirement of additional in-service training on a regular schedule after the completion of the initial required training, just as occurs for other law enforcement disciplines regulated by DCJS.

While am certain there are some jurisdictions currently providing some type of regular in-service training after initial training occurs, I am also certain there are many jurisdictions not providing any regular in-service training. The reality is those processing 9-1-1 telephone calls and dispatching law enforcement personnel (as well as other public safety disciplines, such as the fire-service and emergency medical services) are part of the public safety community, and assuring regular training is occurring and provided (as is recommended by the Curriculum Review Committee (CRC)) is not only needed, but would suspect is already expected by the public. The in-service training recommended will provide a mechanism to assure the 9-1-1 and dispatch community is aware of the many changes occurring in the profession as well as a mechanism to provide focus on crucial dispatch/call processing skills required of those processing 9-1-1 calls and dispatching emergency services.

Writing on behalf of the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission, I support the recommendations from the CRC and approved by the Committee on Training (COT), related to Dispatcher In-Service training.