Public Safety Dispatch

[ 9-1-1E ] [ Radio System ] [ Computer Systems ]  

The Public Safety Dispatch Section of the Sugar Land Police Department is responsible for making sure that the appropriate service gets to the person in need. Personnel of this section answer 9-1-1 and other calls and will dispatch the correct personnel by radio, pager, or telephone. This is done in a timely manner with most calls being dispatched in less than one minute.

Dispatch supports the City of Sugar Land's public safety operations through a specialized communications network in the form of radio transmissions, the use of specialized computer system and the operation of emergency as well as non-emergency telephone communications systems.

Twelve Telecommunications Officers (TCOs), three Shift Supervisors and one Section Supervisor are responsible for making sure that the citizens of Sugar Land get the assistance that they need. During a normal shift, Dispatch consists of one "Call Taker," a "Police Dispatcher" and a "Fire Dispatcher." This job assignment allows each person to concentrate on one part of the job and also allows for rapid and accurate dispatching. TCO's are multi-tasked oriented individuals who can, with no trouble, do more than one thing at a time. At times, they will be receiving a phone call, typing and watching several computer screens, as well as talking on the radio at the same time.

TCO's use specialized equipment to complete their assigned tasks. For a brief description of this equipment click on one of the links above.