Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Emergency Call-Takers Hired Using CritiCall Software

The Spotsylvania County Communication Center in Virginia needed to hire four emergency call-takers immediately to handle the volume of calls while handling the DC sniper case. Criticall 3.0 helped them hire the right employees for the job.

October 31, 2002
1 min to read


In response to the recent manhunt for the DC sniper and the increase of calls to the Spotsylvania County Communication Center in Virginia while handling the case, four new emergency call-takers had to be hired immediately. Because of the urgent need to have highly qualified people to handle such an important case, the four new employees were tested with the CritiCall 3.0 Personnel Selection Software product.

CritiCall 3.0 assesses job-related competency for dispatchers, call-takers, and tele-communicators. The program tests computer-related multi-tasking, map reading and geographic directions, short-term memory, reaction time, situational judgment, and decision making, as well as reading comprehension, spelling, and sentence clarity.

Ad Loading...

The testing software is currently being used by more than 200 public safety agencies in the US and Canada, including eight state police and state highway patrol agencies.

For more information about CritiCall pre-employment selection testing software, Contact the Biddle Consulting Group, Inc. at 800-999-0438 or www.criti-call.com.

More Technology

Man in a blue blazer lifting his shirt to reveal a concealed handgun in a waistband holster while standing outdoors.
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty

What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.

Read More →
Officer smiling with an executive
SponsoredMay 19, 2026

How Patrolfinder Uses Data to Make Streets Safer

Law enforcement agencies have long relied on instinct and routine to optimize patrols. Patrolfinder uses data to help agencies see where officers go — and where they don’t — to improve visibility and maximize coverage.

Read More →
Graphic depicting crime prevention, featuring a shadowed hooded figure against a dark city backdrop with police lights and shield imagery. Text reads: “Crime Prevention Through Remote Guarding with Human Intervention.”
Technologyby Wayne ParhamMay 14, 2026

Crime Prevention by Merging Tech with Human Intervention

Elite Interactive Solutions tackles crime prevention with technology and human intervention, working closely with local police to provide insights when a response is needed. The key is to blend the latest in remote video monitoring, artificial intelligence, and a well-trained agent with eyes on the scene.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of a person holding an Axis body-worn camera toward the viewer. The camera is in sharp focus, while the person wearing a dark uniform appears blurred in the background outdoors.
TechnologyMay 7, 2026

Case Study Details Integration of Body-Worn Cameras with CAD

The Billerica Police Department (Massachusetts) improved transparency and accountability, sharpened evidence management, and reduced manual hours by integrating Axis Communications body-worn cameras with its Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.

Read More →
Dark map of downtown Chicago displaying three emergency alerts for reported gunfire near Randolph Street, W Harrison Street, and N Columbus Drive. Blue circular markers indicate locations near Union Park, Clark Art Museum, and Jack Academy High School.
TechnologyMay 7, 2026

ZeroEyes Public Safety Alerts Integrates Samdesk for Real-Time Risk Detection and Awareness

ZeroEyes has integrated Samdesk into its Public Safety Alerts platform to deliver faster, verified intelligence to help organizations understand emerging risks and respond quickly.

Read More →
High-angle view of cars with lights turned on crossing the George Washington Bridge at dusk.
TechnologyMay 7, 2026

NJ Police Department Combines Strong Technology & Public Safety Strategy

The Fort Lee Police Department in New Jersey has modernized with Genetec Security Center, including video management, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), and Clearance digital evidence management.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic with image of crime scene investigator and yellow evidence markers and black box covering the persons idenity and headline Automated Redaction.
TechnologyApril 30, 2026

Pimloc & Dynamic Workflow Solutions Partner to Deliver Data Management and Automated Redaction

The joint redaction solution from Pimloc and Dynamic Workflow Solutions helps agencies reduce FOIA response time and compliance risk by automatically redacting faces, license plates, and other sensitive information from digital evidence.

Read More →
Fans cheer at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium during a football game at The University of Alabama.
TechnologyApril 23, 2026

The University of Alabama Rolls Out Couter-Drone Technology

The University of Alabama is using D-Fend Solutions as a counter-drone technology supplier for campus and game-day airspace security. The University integrates D-Fend’s EnforceAir into its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), utilizing a unified command framework to collaborate with local, state, and federal partners during major events.

Read More →
Man working in front of multiple computer screens.
TechnologyApril 22, 2026

Motorola Solutions Now Part of the Cyber Threat Alliance

Motorola Solutions is now part of the Cyber Threat Alliance, the first formally organized nonprofit group of cybersecurity practitioners that work together in good faith to share threat information and improve global defenses against advanced cyber adversaries.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Bar chart showing what police departments spend budget on for security.
TechnologyApril 22, 2026

Genetec 2026 State of Physical Security Report Reveals Public Safety Priorities & Challenges

Survey results from Genetec’s 2026 State of Physical Security Report highlight the demand for integrated systems that improve response times and reduce investigative workload. Nearly nine in 10 respondents said they use security data to help keep officers safe.

Read More →