Policy Text
Policy
801CSU Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/14, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by CSU Police Departmentthe Communications Center - 1the Communications Center
801.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy establishes guidelines for the basic functions of the Communications Center. It
addresses the immediate information needs of the Department in the course of its normal daily
activities and during emergencies.
801.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the CSU Police Department to provide 24-hour telephone service to the
public for information and for routine or emergency assistance. The Department provides two-
way radio capability providing continuous communication between the Communications Center
and department members in the field.
801.3 THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER SECURITY
The communications function is vital and central to all emergency service operations. The safety
and security of the Communications Center, its members and its equipment must be a high
priority. Special security procedures should be established in a separate operations manual for the
Communications Center.
Access to the Communications Center shall be limited to the Communications Center members,
the Watch Commander, command staff and department members with a specific business-related
purpose.
801.4 RESPONSIBILITIES
801.4.1 DISPATCH SUPERVISOR
The Chief of Police shall appoint and delegate certain responsibilities to a Dispatch Supervisor.
The Dispatch Supervisor is directly responsible to the Patrol Division Commander or the
authorized designee.
The responsibilities of the Dispatch Supervisor include, but are not limited to:
(a)Overseeing the efficient and effective operation of the Communications Center in
coordination with other supervisors.
(b)Scheduling and maintaining dispatcher time records.
(c)Supervising, training and evaluating dispatchers.
(d)Ensuring the radio and telephone recording system is operational.
1.Recordings shall be maintained in accordance with the established records
retention schedule and as required by law.
(e)Processing requests for copies of the Communications Center information for release.
(f)Maintaining the Communications Center database systems.
(g)Maintaining and updating the Communications Center procedures manual.
CSU Police Department
Policy Manual
the Communications Center
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/14, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by CSU Police Departmentthe Communications Center - 21.Procedures for specific types of crime reports may be necessary. For example,
specific questions and instructions may be necessary when talking with a victim
of a sexual assault to ensure that his/her health and safety needs are met, as
well as steps that he/she may take to preserve evidence.
2.Ensuring dispatcher compliance with established policies and procedures.
(h)Handling internal and external inquiries regarding services provided and accepting
personnel complaints in accordance with the Personnel Complaints Policy.
(i)Maintaining a current contact list of State personnel to be notified in the event of a
utility service emergency.
801.4.2 ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES
The Dispatch Supervisor should establish procedures for:
(a)Recording all telephone and radio communications and playback issues.
(b)Storage and retention of recordings.
(c)Security of audio recordings (e.g., passwords, limited access, authorized reviewers,
preservation of recordings past normal retention standards).
(d)Availability of current information for dispatchers (e.g., Watch Commander contact,
rosters, member tracking methods, member contact, maps, emergency providers,
tactical dispatch plans).
(e)Assignment of field members and safety check intervals.
(f)Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) instructions.
(g)Procurement of external services (e.g., fire suppression, ambulances, aircraft, tow
trucks, taxis).
(h)Protection of essential equipment (e.g., surge protectors, gaseous fire suppression
systems, uninterruptible power systems, generators).
(i)Protection of radio transmission lines, antennas and power sources for the
Communications Center (e.g., security cameras, fences).
(j)Handling misdirected, silent and hang-up calls.
(k)Handling private security alarms, if applicable.
(l)Radio interoperability issues.
801.4.3 DISPATCHERS
Dispatchers report to the Dispatch Supervisor. The responsibilities of the dispatcher include, but
are not limited to:
(a)Receiving and handling all incoming and transmitted communications, including:
1.Emergency 9-1-1 lines.
2.Business telephone lines.
CSU Police Department
Policy Manual
the Communications Center
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/14, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by CSU Police Departmentthe Communications Center - 33.Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)/Text Telephone (TTY)
equipment.
4.Radio communications with department members in the field and support
resources (e.g., fire department, emergency medical services (EMS), allied
agency law enforcement units).
5.Other electronic sources of information (e.g., text messages, digital
photographs, video).
(b)Documenting the field activities of department members and support resources (e.g.,
fire department, EMS, allied agency law enforcement units).
(c)Inquiry and entry of information through the Communications Center, department and
other law enforcement database systems (CLETS, DMV, NCIC).
(d)Monitoring department video surveillance systems.
(e)Maintaining the current status of members in the field, their locations and the nature
of calls for service.
(f)Notifying the Watch Commander or field supervisor of emergency activity, including,
but not limited to:
1.Vehicle pursuits.
2.Foot pursuits.
3.Assignment of emergency response.
801.5 CALL HANDLING
This Department provides members of the public with access to the 9-1-1 system for a single
emergency telephone number.
When a call for services is received, the dispatcher will reasonably and quickly attempt to
determine whether the call is an emergency or non-emergency