Communications Division
Simsbury Police Department
Communications Division
The Simsbury Police Department’s Communications Division is responsible for providing all public safety communications in the Town of Simsbury. The division is staffed by seven civilian full-time Public Safety Dispatchers who are employed by the Simsbury Police Department and operate in the Department’s Communications Center, located at Police Headquarters. The Communications Center is staffed 24/7 by the dispatchers who work on the day, evening, and midnight shifts. The Communications Center is equipped with high quality dispatch software and communication devices to better assist our Public Safety Dispatchers in the performance of their duties.
The role of a Public Safety Dispatcher in the Town of Simsbury is very complex and requires sound judgment and attention to detail. Dispatchers are typically the first answering point for all requests for routine and emergency assistance. Public Safety Dispatchers are responsible for answering 9-1-1 emergency phone calls and dispatching the proper public safety services to respond. This includes first responders from the Simsbury Police Department, Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association, and the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department. Public Safety Dispatchers are responsible for communicating with other town resources, such as the Town Highway Department, as well as other outside public safety and service agencies, such as the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Another primary responsibility of Public Safety Dispatchers is to monitor and communicate with police officers regarding law enforcement activities in the Town of Simsbury. These duties range from motor vehicle enforcement and criminal investigations to community policing efforts and assisting members of the community. A Public Safety Dispatcher needs to be an expert in the ability to multitask and prioritize resources in order to provide exemplary public safety services to the community in which we serve.
Simsbury’s Public Safety Dispatchers are highly trained and state certified as Telecommunicators. Obtaining this certification requires hours of classroom and on-the-job training before a dispatcher can operate independently. Public Safety Dispatchers are trained in the management of high stress calls, proper radio communication skills, use of law enforcement databases, and emergency medical dispatch protocols. Continuous training and refresher courses are required to keep Simsbury Public Safety Dispatchers operating at the highest level of public safety service.
If you are in need of police, fire, or emergency medical services in the Town of Simsbury, you can speak to a Public Safety Dispatcher by dialing 9-1-1 for emergency assistance, or (860) 658-3100 for non-emergency/routine requests for service. The Communications Center located inside the Simsbury Police Department also has a service window where you can speak to a Public Safety Dispatcher in person for any assistance needed. The Public Safety Dispatchers employed by the Simsbury Police Department are proud to serve the Town of Simsbury in their unique and pivotal role.