Newark's 'Dispatcher of Year' Named

NEWARK, CA – The Newark Police Department honored Marci Manuel Salas as its Public Safety Dispatcher of the Year at a banquet coinciding with National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week that runs through Saturday.

Manuel is known in the department for maintaining composure as she continues to confidently and efficiently dispatch on the radio during tense and uncertain situations.

"During this past year, this was never more evident when she answered a frantic 911 call from the manager of the KFC restaurant on Thornton Avenue," the department said. "The caller, who was trying to whisper, despite being extremely frightened, advised that a masked man with a gun was inside the store committing a robbery.

"PSD Manuel remained extremely calm and was able to quickly determine what was happening inside the store. She was able to calm the fears of the manager and obtain valuable information for the safety of responding officers and the employees inside the store. Marci provided critical information consistently throughout the call keeping the victims safe and preventing further tragedy."

Manuel was among several dispatchers in the region honored Saturday at the Alameda County Public Safety Dispatcher Banquet in Berkeley.

Agencies across the nation this week are honoring their 911 dispatchers for their dedication and service. The appreciation week began in California in 1981 and grew to a national event. In 1990, the U.S. Congress designated the second week of April each year as a time to remember the critical role that dispatchers play in keeping our communities safe.

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--Image via Newark PD