Communications Officer

About the role

This position monitors police radio and telephone systems for the City of Foley Police Department. It involves tracking communications, receiving and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls, and maintaining records.

Responsibilities

• Tracks all communications between Police Officers and the department during shift.
• Receives all complaint calls and dispatches emergency personnel according to standard operating procedures.
• Keeps records of all activities during shift.
• Dispatches calls received to officers.
• Answers phone calls.
• Runs driver’s licenses, tags, etc., through NCIC and completes paperwork as necessary for the situation.
• Enters calls received into the CAD system, enters warrants, and clears warrants.
• Performs officer safety checks.
• Reports to the Communications Supervisor.
• Maintains multiple radio channels to receive and transmit emergency and non-emergency radio traffic.
• Receives phone calls for police and non-police assistance for both emergencies and non-emergencies.
• Ascertains incident information by obtaining and verifying caller information and location, determining the nature of the incident and all available data.
• Interacts with other agencies as needed for medical or other police agency assistance.
• Documents incident details quickly and accurately to establish incident urgency, categorizing the incident type, and obtaining proper help for the caller.
• Demonstrates clear, effective communication and active listening with public safety responders using appropriate terminology, codes, and signals.
• Relays initial information for dispatch accurately, reviewing the call for service details, and assuming incident command until first responders arrive.
• Utilizes NCIC to run checks on driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, criminal histories, wanted/missing persons and check for stolen items.
• Maintains chain of custody for records and documentation used in court proceedings and legal discovery.
• Utilizes the CADS (Computer Aided Dispatch System) to log calls for police, logs the movement of officers from call to call, and records actions taken on calls answered by police officers.
• Utilizes the mapping system to determine jurisdictional lines and agency responsibility and notifies the appropriate personnel.
• Utilizes a variety of computer software essential to the duties of a Communications Officer such as CADS, NCIC, AlaCOP, Fonality, etc.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or its equivalent.
• One (1) year of experience in a job related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Ability to obtain NCIC Certification.

Qualifications

• Passes a psychological examination.
• Passes a drug test.
• Passes a full driving and criminal background check.
• Passes a polygraph examination.

Benefits

The City's group insurance is through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Employees' health, vision, hearing, and dental premiums are paid in full by the City. The City pays 50% of family coverage. The employee cost for family health, vision, and hearing is $67.47 per semi-monthly deduction cycle and dental is $10.00 per semi-monthly deduction cycle. See enclosed booklets in your onboarding plan for coverage details. **NOTE** If family coverage is desired, 2 deductions must be made from check or paid in full prior to effective date of coverage. The total monthly cost for family health and dental coverage is $154.94.