Manchester Lauds Its Dispatchers

In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week, the Manchester Township Police Department lauded its dispatchers.

“Often the first, first responder in an emergency situation, dispatchers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of residents and emergency personnel,” Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said in a release on behalf of Police Chief Lisa Parker.

The department, which has eight full-time dispatchers and a full-time communications supervisor, receive about 15,000 calls for service and make nearly 77,500 entrees into the agency’s computer-aided dispatch system, Malland said. The dispatchers are highly trained civilian personnel who hold basic telecommunicator certificates, among other specialized training. They staff the Communications Section around the clock and must remain calm during stressful situations, ensuring they collect and relay accurate information, he said.

They also maintain a great working relationship with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Communications Center, where 911 calls are first answered, he said, “meaning that Manchester residents can rest assured that they are being afforded top-notch service whenever in need.”

“Our police dispatchers truly have one of the most stressful careers,” Communications Supervisor James Gant said. “Providing quality service and a quick response to our residents is our primary goal, all while ensuring officer safety.

“I can wholeheartedly say that we have some of the best dispatchers around,” Gant said, “dispatchers with their finger on the pulse of the township 24 hours a day. It brings me great pride knowing that our dispatchers are at the helm of every emergency event.”