How to Thank Your Dispatchers

Our colleagues over at Dispatch Magazine have provided a bevy of nifty resources to help law enforcement agencies thank the individuals who relay mission-critical information to and from the field.

Each year, the second full week of April is dedicated to these public safety telecommunicators. Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff's Office launched the week in 1981.

By the early 1990s, the national Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) convinced Congress to pass a formal proclamation. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced what became H.J. Res. 284 to create "National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week."

Police agencies can honor public safety dispatchers with a written commendation, mention of their "good job" at a shift briefing, or with a pat on the back.

Dispatch Magazine has provided online resources, including three templates of certificates that can be downloaded and printed on colored paper. The certificates are in PDF format for easy print-out. Visit the Dispatch Magazine Website for all the links.