Police Dispatcher

Under general supervision, to perform a variety of complex duties involved in the receipt and dispatching of calls for emergency and non-emergency law enforcement and other assistance, and to perform a variety of general clerical duties in support of the Police Department. May exercise technical and functional supervision over less experienced staff.

A POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test, to be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Clearlake City Hall. Please be prepared to attend if you have not taken the test within the last 180 calendar days prior to the test date and scored over 48 on the test. See the Supplemental Information section below for more information.

• Receive service calls from the public requesting law enforcement or other emergency and non-emergency services; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures operating a dispatch system.
• Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of law enforcement field units; maintain daily log of all field calls and units dispatched.
• Operate teletype machine to enter, modify, update and retrieve data such as stolen and recovered property, driver license and vehicle registration information, and warrants on wanted persons.
• Use telecommunications systems to coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement agencies.
• Receive, respond to, and document requests for warrants and Division of Motor Vehicles print-outs; verify, type and file warrants; document vehicle impound information.
• Monitor emergency alarm boxes; monitor and provide dispatching services for a variety of agencies after hours.
• Type, record and file a wide variety of police records, reports, and materials including memos, letters, financial reports, complaints, declarations, fingerprint cards and index cards on bookings, warrants, citations, crime and traffic reports, and bad checks and forgery files.
• Sort, file, copy and distribute crime reports, traffic reports, citations, petitions, and other materials to appropriate personnel.
• Assist department personnel and the public in person and by phone performing record checks, issuing permits and collecting fees, and mailing out requested reports to outside agencies in accordance with established regulations, and providing general information regarding department policies, procedures and regulations.
• Assemble, code, record and summarize a variety of police record data including serious crime offenses, stolen vehicles, crime reports, booking sheets and file interrogation cards.
• Compile data for, summarize, and maintain a variety of statistical and financial reports.
• Assist in the receipt, storage and retrieval or other disposition of items delivered to the property room.
• Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of automated and manual logs, records and files relating to public safety activities.
• Assist in searching and arranging of prisoners as necessary.
• Monitor building activity; monitor doorways; monitor prisoners in cells; monitor children waiting to be picked up.
• Operate various equipment including multi-line telephones; multi-channel two-way radio, computer, teletype, typewriter, computer, 911 emergency and alarm monitoring equipment, and other communications equipment.

• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Techniques for dealing with the public in a tactful but firm manner.
• Operate a computer terminal, teletype and other office equipment.

• Work under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Learn policies and procedures of receiving, processing, and dispatching emergency calls.
• Learn basic communications rules and regulations governing the operation of radio transmitting and receiving systems.
• Learn the geographic features and streets within the area served.
• Learn principles and procedures of record keeping including the maintenance and security of police communications reports.
• Learn general law enforcement codes, practices and methods.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Type accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Work various shifts as assigned.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.