Police Dispatcher Training
Training takes place in the Communications Division, which is located within the San Diego Police Department Headquarters, 1401 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101.
SDPD Police 9-1-1 Dispatcher (Phone)
The Communications Division's Police 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatchers (phone) receive the following training:
- 160 hours - Basic Dispatcher Class
- 400 hours - Hands-on Training
- 120 hours - Dispatch Academy
- = 680 total training hours
Phone trainees, upon completion of formal training, will be administratively assigned to a shift for approximately two to three shift changes. After completing the assigned shifts the employee participates in a seniority-based selection process for shifts and days off.
SDPD Police Dispatcher (Radio)
The Communications Division's Police Dispatchers (radio) receive the following training:
- 680 hours - Phone Dispatcher Training
- 800 hours - Radio Dispatcher Training
- = 1,480 total training hours
Radio trainees, upon completion of formal training, will be administratively assigned to a shift rotation until they complete one year as a police dispatcher, and are then eligible to participate in the point/bump system for shift and day off selection.
The Communications Division operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The shift schedules vary and can change depending upon the season. Communications full-time staff work four ten-hour shifts with three consecutive days off each week.