State Committee OK’s Dispatcher Training Bill

A Florida state Senate committee has approved legislation that would establish an unfunded, voluntary certification standards for public safety dispatchers within the state, after earlier hearing testimony from the father of kidnap-murder victim Denise Lee that supports the bill. At least one senator will propose naming the bill after Lee when it comes up for a final vote. The 6-0 vote by the Senate Committee on Governmental Operations last Thursday would set a 208-hour training requirement for certification, and added a amendment to grandfather in dispatchers with at least five years of experience. Lee was kidnapped and murdered in Charlotte County earlier this year, and a 911 caller reported seeing Lee in the suspect’s car, information that wasn’t broadcast to all units. Lee’s father, a Charlotte County sheriff’s sergeant himself, told committee members in his testimony, “I’m really dedicated to the department. And I hate to have to be here to speak against–but if that 911 call had been answered correctly and dispatched correctly, my daughter would be here with her family today, taking care of her babies.” Goff even criticized background noises of laughter and shouting during the witness’ 911 call. Goff previously called for the firing of the two involved dispatchers, who were given unpaid suspensions. The House version of the bill is in committee before being considered by the full House. Download (pdf) the final Senate bill here.