Dispatcher Judgment

Dispatcher Judgment

Effective March 30, 2019

Performance Outcome 2.1.

Identify category assignment and dispatch prioritization.

Note: It is important that dispatchers understand the concept of prioritization and have the ability to readily identify those factors impacting the nature and urgency of the call when determining call priority. This performance outcome is intended to provide dispatchers with a framework for assessing prioritization in the call taking process. This framework shall be utilized when completing practical and written exercises.

Training Objectives Related to 2.1.

1. Given a practical or written exercise, identify three categories of law enforcement response.

2. Given practical or written exercise, identify types of incidents mandating an emergency law enforcement response(s).

3. Given practical or written exercise, identify types of incidents requiring a non-emergency law enforcement response(s).

4. Given a practical or written exercise, identify types of incidents appropriate for a routine law enforcement response(s).

5. Given a practical or written scenario, demonstrate decision-making skills and determine when the initial non-emergency or routine law enforcement response to an incident evolves into an incident requiring an emergency law enforcement response.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

2.1.1. Identify three categories of response:

2.1.1.1. Emergency law enforcement response

2.1.1.2. Non-emergency law enforcement response

2.1.1.3. Routine law enforcement response

2.1.2. Identify three types of incidents mandating an emergency (high priority or urgent) law enforcement response(s):

2.1.2.1. Immediate threat to life (e.g. crime, accident, natural disaster)

2.1.2.2. Criminal act in progress

2.1.2.3. Criminal offense just occurred and/or perpetrator/suspects are still in the area or fleeing the scene

2.1.2.4. Potential violence or imminent danger (e.g. domestic violence)

2.1.2.5. Firearms and other weapons present

2.1.2.6. Potential for violence without police intervention

2.1.2.7. Death Investigations

2.1.3. Identify three types of incidents requiring a non-emergency (e.g. direct or expedient) law-enforcement response(s):

2.1.3.1. Report of crime - no risk to public safety

2.1.3.2. No offense in progress

2.1.3.3. A delay is not likely to result in further injury, loss of property or adversely affect investigation

2.1.3.4. No reason to believe that suspect is on scene or in area                            

2.1.3.5. Time delay between occurrence of offense and reporting

2.1.3.6. No risk that evidence will be lost if response is delayed

2.1.4. Identify three types of incidents requiring a routine (judicious – exercising sound judgment) law enforcement response(s):

                        2.1.4.1. No complainant is waiting

                        2.1.4.2. Minor incidents

2.1.4.3. Delayed investigation or report

2.1.4.4. Follow-up incident

2.1.4.5. Welfare checks:

 2.1.4.5.1. Requests from concerned family member or citizen

                                    2.1.4.5.2. Investigation of 911 hang up

2.1.4.6. Citizen complaint/question - Caller referred to the appropriate law enforcement unit/ personnel (e.g. Media inquiries, personnel complaints, administrative inquiries)

2.1.5. Demonstrate decision-making skills and determine when the initial non-emergency or routine law enforcement response to an incident evolves into an incident requiring an emergency law enforcement response.

Lesson Plan Guide:  The lesson plan shall include all items in the Criteria Section.

Performance Outcome 2.2.

Provide caller instructions prior to law enforcement arrival and identify responder safety issues.

Training Objectives Related to 2.2.

1. Given a practical or written exercise, provide caller instructions prior to law enforcement arrival based on situation and assessment of risk.

2. Given a practical or written exercise, determine if there is a known safety issue or potential safety issue for responding personnel.

3. Given a practical or written exercise, demonstrate the ability to recognize when information received is appropriate to the situation or appears suspicious.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

2.2.1. Provide caller instructions prior to law enforcement arrival based on the situation and assessment of risk:

2.2.1.1. Determine whether the caller is in a clearly unsafe location (e.g. car on active railroad tracks, armed individual, vehicle crash)

2.2.1.2. Provide caller appropriate instructions (e.g. shelter in place, evacuate structure, If you are able move to a safe location)

2.2.2. Determine if there is a known safety issue or potential safety issue for responding personnel.

2.2.3. Recognize when information received is appropriate to the situation or appears suspicious.

Lesson Plan Guide:  The lesson plan shall include all items in the Criteria Section.

Instructor Note:  Instructors should inform students they will not always be able to determine if a situation is clearly unsafe based on the information provided  by the caller but in instances where it is clear instructions are needed they should be provided.