Hello;
I am a young marine veteran trying to obtain a entry level position within the law enforcement.
Is there anyone who can help me through the correct process and perphaps to get in contact with a current dispatcher to help me with all my questions and concerns ?
I would appreciate any given help to this inquiry.
or to contact me for this matter.
Thank you.
Most departments will hire ‘off the street’ – meaning, with no prior experience. I would choose the geographic area that you want to work in and pepper several agencies with applications. (I would also recommend the northern half of Santa Clara County – San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain view, etc – as they are likely the best paid in the nation.)
The application process generally starts with your written application, and assuming you meet the basic requirements will then move to a written test. This will usually be the ‘POST’ test. It is a skills test and it is designed to push all takers to failure – the theory being that if it is possible to get 100% you can have ‘ties’. Each agency sets its own guidelines on what score they want to target for hire. The test will involve things like listening to tapes and recalling information, sorting written information, prioritization tests, etc.
There may also be a ‘typing’ test. Figure on an average of 35 WPM for most agencies.
If you pass, next will generally be the interview. Learn EVERYTHING you can about the agency. Asking to do a ’sit along’ in dispatch (and possibly a ‘ride along’ with the officers) is a good idea at this stage prior to your interview; try to mention that you have done so in the interview. Be prepared to tell them what you know about their agency and why you want to work for them as opposed to any other agency. Be prepared to explain that you understand the basic requirements of the job – shift work, difficult phone calls, hierarchical command structures, etc. Be ready to explain how you think your previous experience has prepared you for the job. There will likely be hypothetical questions to test your problem solving.
Those who pass the interview stage are generally ranked and offered background packages. You will need to provide information such as where you have lived in the last 10 years, who you have lived with, what jobs you have had, romantic relationship partners – most agencies do either the same or a very similar background on their dispatchers as they do on officers. Remember that honesty and completeness are a must; leaving things out – intentionally or otherwise – can end up getting you disqualified.
Often there will be psychological tests as well as polygraphs at this stage.
That pretty much sums up the process in most agencies. You can also choose to put yourself through the POST ‘Public Safety Dispatcher’ course – offered at many junior colleges – as a way of setting yourself apart from other candidates.
Comment by beverly — August 9, 2009 @ 3:31 pm