Police Recognizing Dispatchers This Week

This week, the Vernon Police Department is recognizing its dispatchers during Nationwide Public Safety Telecommunicator Appreciation Week.

U.S. Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-MA introduced a resolution to recognize the week in the early 1990s to create the week and it became permanent in 1994.

"Between April 9 and 13, the nation recognizes the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunications," Lt. William Meier of the VPD said. "Telecommunicators don’t just answer 911 calls,  they handle several thousand routine calls, keep track of 100-plus arrest warrants and no-contact orders, among other things. NPSTW draws attention to the stressful and often hectic work Dispatchers must perform on a daily basis.  Dispatchers must be able to multi-task and make critical decisions quickly at stressful times without mistakes."

Meier said the dispatchers display "dedication and professionalism 24 hours a day, seven days a week."