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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/11/26, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department The Public Safety Communications Center - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual The Public Safety Communications Center 801.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy establishes guidelines for the basic functions of Public Safety 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 Santa Monica 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 Public Safety Communications Center and Department members in the field. 801.3 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER SECURITY The communications function is vital and central to all emergency service operations. The safety and security of Public Safety Communications Center, its members and its equipment must be a high priority. Special security procedures should be established in a separate operations manual for Public Safety Communications Center. 801.4 RESPONSIBILITIES 801.4.1 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS ADMINIST RATOR The Chief of Police shall appoint and delegate certain responsibilities to a Public Safety Communications Administrator. The responsibilities of the Public Safety Communications Administrator include but are not limited to: (a) Overseeing the efficient and effective operation of Public Safety 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 recordi ng 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 Public Safety Communications Center information for release. (f) Maintaining Public Safety Communications Center database systems. (g) Maintaining and updating Public Safety Communications Center procedures manual, including: Policy 801 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual The Public Safety Communications Center Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/11/26, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department The Public Safety Communications Center - 2 1. 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 their health and safety needs are met, as well as steps that they may take to preserve evidence. 2. Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) instructions that include prearrival medical instructions for 9 -1-1 calls requiring medical assistance consistent with the provisions of Health and Safety Code § 1797.1 61. 3. 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 City personnel to be notified in the event of a utility service emergency. 801.4.2 ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES The Public Safety Communications Administrator 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, author ized 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) Procurement of external services (e.g., fire suppression, ambulances, aircraft, tow trucks, taxis). (g) Protection of essential equipment (e.g., surge protectors, gaseous fire suppression systems, uninterruptible power systems, generators). (h) Protection of radio transmission lines, antennas and power sources for Public Safety Communications Center (e.g., security cameras, fences). (i) Handling misdirected, silent, and hang -up calls. (j) Handling private security alarms, if applicable. (k) Radio interoperability issues. 801.4.3 DISPATCHERS Dispatchers report to the Public Safety Communications Administrator. 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. Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual The Public Safety Communications Center Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/11/26, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department The Public Safety Communications Center - 3 2. Business telephone lines. 3. 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