Police Communications Officer

Texas A&M University - Commerce • Austin, TX

293d • $40,000

About The Position

The Police Communications Officer, under supervision, handles routine and emergency radio, telephone calls (emergency and non-emergency) for service following special or written instructions for transmitting and routing calls. Supports efficient operations and coordinates activities between department and external agencies and various contacts.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience / Knowledge / Skills: Six months experience as a Police Department Communications Officer, law enforcement dispatch, or relevant administrative experience (answering incoming calls, data entry, customer service and information gathering).
• Communication skills.
• Keyboarding skills.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to work under stress.
• Ability to comprehend technical aspects of communications equipment.
• Licensing/Professional Certifications: Hired personnel shall be required to attend and pass state-mandated certification classes.

Responsibilities

• Monitors radio traffic, answers incoming phone calls (including emergency and non-emergency calls), dispatches officers to calls; maintains a handwritten and computer log of all officer activities; enters information into the computer record-keeping system and prints needed paperwork for officers in a timely manner.
• Coordinates services with other agencies concerning emergencies and vital information.
• Verifies amount owed for outstanding parking citations via computer so officers and security officers know if a vehicle is in compliance with parking regulations, or eligible to be booted.
• Files all tickets, motorist assist waivers, radio logs, reports, and other paperwork.
• Provides visitor or temporary parking permits after hours when a cashier is not available.
• Takes payments for vehicle boot removals after hours when a cashier is not available.
• Monitors local weather via TLETS and the National Weather Service for impending inclement weather, and makes appropriate notifications as required by agency policy.
• Remains prepared to operate tornado siren in order to alert the community in the event tornadoes are seen.
• Monitors campus alarm system (including fire, burglar, and other types of alarms).
• Remains familiar with current practices and makes all necessary notifications in a timely manner.
• Monitors campus security cameras. Has the ability to check archived footage.
• Notifies appropriate personnel as required to advise them of emergency situations on campus.
• Contacts campus counselors at an officer's request for emergency mental health issues.
• Female dispatchers may be asked to pat-search female offenders, when no female officer is available.
• Gathers information for officers' reports via TLETS/NLETS and/or from other agencies.
• May be called as a witness for paperwork in criminal trials.
• Contacts other personnel (i.e., maintenance, Safety, hall directors, etc.) after hours of problems requiring immediate attention relating to campus buildings.
• Generates online work orders for maintenance problems that are not of an emergency nature.
• Calls wrecker service to respond to an officer's request, such as for wrecked vehicles, vehicles being impounded, etc.
• Also will contact a wrecker as a courtesy for persons on campus needing that service.
• Relays location and other pertinent information about the vehicle to be towed to the wrecker service.
• Identifies authorized personnel in academic buildings by monitoring, organizing and updating building authorization letters.
• Monitors contractual workers on campus after hours such as weekends, nights, and holidays.
• Works with customers and complainants in a respectful and professional manner.
• Works cooperatively with other departments on campus and other outside agencies.
• Gives directions to campus-related activities and, on occasion, directions in town.
• Inventories items placed in lost and found.
• Contacts owners of property when that information is available.
• Maintains dated, detailed, logs of lost and found articles for legal purposes.
• Takes reservations for university vehicles.
• Maintains a fleet calendar, listing all pertinent information.
• Checks the vehicles in and out, completing the proper documents and checking computer records to verify that the driver has completed the required training.
• Notifies Maintenance of any reported fleet vehicle problems.
• Maintains a log of all disabled vehicles on campus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: High school or GED