Dispatchers Fired For Inappropriate Messaging

Officials of the Hamilton County (Tenn.) Emergency Communications District have confirmed that 11 dispatchers have been either fired or suspended without pay for violation of the comm center’s policy on using the an instant-messaging system. According to an attorney representing two of the fired dispatchers, the inappropriate messages contained criticism of other employees, including supervisors. In a press release, officials of the center said that last October they that some dispatchers might be misusing the instant messaging system that is part of the center’s computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software. They began reviewing messages created on the system, totaling 8,700 pages of text. At the end of the investigation, center director John Stuermer said that 11 dispatchers were found to have violated the center’s policy on use of the messaging, and were disciplined. He declined to release specifics, including the names of the dispatchers. “Further details into the investigation and disciplinary actions will be made available after the employee’s right of appeal process is finalized,” officials said in a press release.” Officials stressed that the inappropriate messaging never affected emergency operations. “We found no evidence that the District’s ability to provide timely emergency service to citizens or first responders was impaired or jeopardized,” the press release stated. Attorney Jerry Tidwell, who told reporters he represents two of the fired dispatchers, said one of his clients questions why some dispatchers were fired and others were suspended. All the dispatchers have 14 day to appeal their discipline. News video after the break.