Overview
The Communications Division provides services to the public by answering 911 and non-emergency business calls. Communications Officers (COs) quickly assess and initiate services to respond, whether that be a trooper, a tow truck driver, medical aid, fire, or the Department of Transportation. COs provide dispatch, data request services, and other support functions for our troopers, commercial vehicle enforcement officers, and multiple contracted state and federal agencies.
COs are true first responders. Located in eight communications centers throughout Washington State, COs provide around-the-clock professional emergency support. Additionally, they dispatch for major events such as Seafair, Rod Run, Presidential and other dignitary visits, emphases performed for Driving Under the Influence and Boating Under the Influence.
Key Measurements and Statistics
In 2021, WSP Communications Officers entered over 800,000 incidents into our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Many of those incidents originated from 911 calls and non-emergency (business) calls as well as field initiated (self-initiated) incidents such as traffic stops and emergencies that troopers on the road viewed and reported.
Successes of 2021
In 2021, on top of operational workload at the Centers, the Communications Division saw the following successes:
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- Tacoma, Wenatchee, and Spokane Communications received new state of the art, ergonomic, console workstations.
- Marysville Communications received new carpets.
- Vancouver Communications received new window blinds.
- The Communications Division earned the Tri-Arc certification from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
- Every Communications Officer completed the required 24 hours of applicable training for calendar year 2021.
- The division received funding from the Legislature to install new ergonomic console workstations in the last two centers, Vancouver and Yakima Communications Centers in 2022.
- Completed Law Enforcement CALEA update for Communications-specific standards.
- Completed 8,453 individual requests for public disclosure.
- Completed the submission of all training curriculum to re-certify our Training Program through the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials- International (APCO).
- Online trainings were offered to Communications staff on improving resiliency, emotional intelligence, leading for influence and other applicable topics. Some in-person classes were also offered.