The union representing Calgary (Alb.) police officers has asked the department to increase the presence of sworn officers inside the communications centers to help eliminate on-going dispatcher mistakes that have led to response delays and other dangerous situations. In a memo, union president John Dooks said there are “chronic safety issues that keep resurfacing” at the center. A police sergeant now works at the center weekdays, but daily operations are managed by Steve Dongworth, a civilian employee. Ironically, it was Dongworth’s daughter who handled the latest incident that sparked the union letter. Two officers at a downtown office were stabbed by a witness they were interviewing, and the union claims it took 19 minutes for paramedics to arrive. Read more about the union’s complaints here.
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And what exactly is the officer going to do? Tell the dispatch an ambulance was needed? that was already done. Tell the dispatcher to dispatch an ambulance? That was already done. Make the ambulance get there faster? HOW? If there is an issue with decision making having an officer to whom the entire request is repeated for him/her to make the call, delays the response. Give more training to the dispatchers to make proper decisions. Fire the ones who do not progress and who cannot make appropriate decisions! Sounds to me like the Union is looking for “inside jobs” for the personnel. If thats what they want, then let them stop being officers and become dispatchers for less pay!
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