Police Communications Dispatch Supervisor

APCO International; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

APCO International in Emeryville, CA, seeks a supervisor for the Police Communications Center to oversee public safety dispatch operations, ensure 24/7 readiness, and coordinate with city departments and outside agencies.

Under direction, you will supervise dispatch staff, manage scheduling, training, and performance tracking, and maintain SOPs and compliance with POST requirements. This role emphasizes quality assurance, incident leadership, and inter‑agency coordination during emergencies.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in public safety dispatching in a 911 system.
• One year of lead or supervisory experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, schedule, and direct activities of the Police Communications Center.
• Manage unit scheduling, including rotating shifts, holidays, and overtime to ensure 24/7 readiness.
• Assist staff with calls for service, radio dispatching, or emergency handling as needed.
• Monitor intake of calls to ensure accurate information and proper dispatch of personnel.
• Provide tactical support during incidents and coordinate resources across departments.
• Coordinate inter-agency mutual aid and ensure seamless communication with neighboring jurisdictions.
• Audit CAD, RMS, and CLETS for data integrity and compliance with reporting standards.
• Conduct QA reviews of calls and radio traffic to coach staff and identify training needs.
• Prepare reports on operational trends and equipment needs for leadership.
• Develop and update SOPs and training guidelines for the dispatch center.

Skills

Public safety dispatching

Leadership

Education

12th grade

Tools

CAD

RMS

CLETS

Job description

Under direction of the Police Service Manager, supervises and directs the public safety dispatch center operations; manages the intake and prioritization of public safety calls, coordinates activities across city departments and outside agencies; and ensures 24/7 emergency response readiness through effective scheduling, training, and performance tracking.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, organizes, schedules and directs activities of the Police Communications Center.
• Manages unit scheduling, including rotating shifts, holiday coverage, and the authorization of overtime to ensure 24/7 operational readiness and minimum staffing levels.
• Performs the full range of Public Safety Dispatcher duties as necessary; assists staff with calls for service, radio dispatching, or handling of emergency calls/critical incidents as they arise; provides support and handles requests as needed.
• Monitors and evaluates the intake of emergency and routine calls for service to ensure staff collect accurate information and dispatch appropriate personnel according to established protocols.
• Provides high-level tactical support to dispatchers during critical incidents, assuming command of complex radio traffic and prioritizing department-wide resources when call volume exceeds standard capacity.
• Serves as the escalation point for inter-agency coordination, managing mutual aid requests and ensuring seamless communication between neighboring jurisdictions during large-scale emergencies.
• Supervises and audits the use of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Records Management Systems (RMS) and CLETS (California Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems) processes to ensure data integrity, technical proficiency, and compliance with law enforcement reporting standards.
• Conducts regular quality assurance reviews of recorded calls and radio traffic to provide coaching, identify training gaps, and ensure staff maintain composure and professionalism under pressure.
• Maintenance of dispatch records; analyzes response data and call statistics to prepare comprehensive reports for executive leadership regarding operational trends and equipment needs as needed.
• Develops and updates standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training guidelines to ensure the dispatch center remains consistent with evolving state and federal law enforcement mandates.
• Mediates and resolves complex public inquiries or complaints regarding dispatch services, acting as the primary liaison between the public and the communications unit to maintain community trust.
• Oversees and implements the Communication Training Program.
• May complete requests for subpoenas of events, phone calls, radio recordings, and other requested items.

Education

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience in public safety dispatching in a 911 system at a level equivalent to the City's Police Communications Dispatcher classification. One (1) year of lead or supervisory experience is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications

Possession of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate by date of appointment. Possession of a valid California drivers' license with a satisfactory driving record by date of appointment.

Must be at least 18 years of age by date of appointment.

Position also requires a background check and pre-employment medical examination.