Police Suggestion Increase dispatcher application scrutiny.

[Exnem]

Suggestion Title: Increase dispatcher application scrutiny.
Suggestion Description: As it currently stands dispatch is an aging, ancient division that has received minimal attention since its introduction. The role was relatively exclusive and required that you pass a much stricter application process than what is present today.

Todays' standards have dropped far too low to see acceptable performance from a majority of dispatchers. I have counted three good dispatchers in the last 4 months, and the rest have only been a hinderance to the overall PD performance. In a majority of cases I just go off-duty since being cop at that time just puts you in the crosshairs of a dispatcher who wants you to do what he wants, not what you want to do.

In addition to that, the gamemode has sped up significantly since the division's introduction, making managing and distributing the force among incidents of various priorities nearly impossible. Somewhere along the line as you send officers you aren't guaranteed to even get a responding officer for various reasons. Having a manager send cops in a more organized manner is good on paper, but horrible in execution. Most cops on perp don't actually work in a police department, and have their own playstyles.

I know from personal experience that having a dispatcher breathing down your neck to get you to respond to the incident he assigned you to is not interesting and/or fun in the slightest.

So, I'm going to suggest the following:

Rework the application process.​

- Dispatch should not be widely available to anyone who wants to become one. This role gives you a lot of power over the wider PD in smaller ways, and even playing as dispatch within the guidelines can make anyone's time as cop a nightmare: So, Increase the scrutiny of applying dispatchers and weed out poorly performing applicants who clearly are not ready or capable of multitasking, memorizing details and sensible discretion. Vibe checking an aspiring dispatcher seems too much, and is far too open-ended, but is something I'd like to see if done properly to weed out those who just seek power.

- Take a page out of the old TFU practical exam. Give applicants a complete rundown of the dispatcher interface and teach them how to use it. (If this isn't already being done. I ran into a dispatcher not too long ago who had no idea how to make incidents, and they were NOT a junior dispatcher...)
The TFU practical exam used to run you through how to use flashbangs, c2 and even how to drive the brute before testing you on them. I have no idea if this is still being practiced today, but for dispatchers it should.

- In addition to the point above, force every junior dispatcher to interact with every possible role as outlined in the dispatcher handbook throughout their practical stage.
Not knowing how to interact with a piece of the core experience as dispatcher only serves to degrade performance and overall quality of a dispatcher. Gaps in knowledge with this much power over other cops is unacceptable as a fully fledged dispatcher.

- Junior dispatchers should not go un-accompanied on-duty as a dispatcher as a way of learning on their own. Without a dispatcher with proper knowledge in service, relying on someone who barely knows the job to not silence all incoming calls and incidents is a major flaw in operating procedure. Rectify this by re-implementing a previously abolished policy to require junior dispatchers to be on-duty alongside a vetted dispatcher.

- Run a poll in the monthly roundup asking officers to list their favorite dispatchers.
Interview the most commonly listed ones and request their feedback on not only the dispatcher interface but also on the role's performance and their thoughts on the current application process; and if they see acceptable standards from other dispatchers.
The goal of this particular point is to get the feedback of in-the-field dispatchers who actually play and interact with the game on a regular/semi-regular basis in a constructive manner, which could help shape the future of the application process.

People who list dispatchers as favorites are being listed for usually good reasons, as they are commonly seen as well-performing dispatchers who aren't too lenient or too strict, and perform in a manner that can be seen as good faith. Yes, this can be misused for people to just list their friends, or even game the poll by requesting your friends to list you.

Why should this be added?:
- Dispatch is an aging division that has clearly not seen much innovation over the years, as it is difficult to fit this piece of the puzzle in without overhauling the wider PD to accommodate it.
- As proven by the recently retired command structure, dispatch is no longer being prioritized as a standalone division and was merged with patrol. Overall, the PD functions fairly well without a dispatcher in service, even if the PD swarms from incident to incident like a horde of zombies.

What negatives could this have?:
- The removal of dispatch would create a gap in the sense of progression, or even limit that feeling altogether.
- If removed: Competent dispatchers who enjoy the role will lose their ability to play the job, which is a net loss overall.
- If overhauled: Aspiring dispatchers will complain ceaselessly about how strict the application process is, and trivialize the role's impact on overall gameplay by stating that it's just a game.

What problem would this suggestion solve?: Dispatch is a high-impact role in the PD that side-grades the way cops play, breaking the overall swarm down into chunks that are divided across isolated incidents. This is fine, for the most part. The problem is that there are a lot of dispatchers who bad-faith the role entirely, and very clearly use it as a way of getting a sense of control over others.

In other cases, there are dispatchers who are solo on duty who have limited idea of how the job actually works, forms their own idea of how it should work and then projects that onto the PD, frequently going uncorrected.

 

[Dekkrior]

I think a good alternative to this would be allowing dispatch to continue to allow 911 incidents to show as normal if they wanted to. Having a dispatcher on and available enforcing radio protocol and coordinating units rather than maintaining absolute control through the shadows of the incident panel could be helpful in certain circumstances. The biggest example I can think of would be when there are two+ situations that need EMS, but they're all gathered staging somewhere waiting for the PD to give the all clear to move in. Also they could help make sure all units on scene are assigned to the same incident so they can have open comms on incident radio, leaving the general radio clear for everyone else.

Not to mention, voice 911 calls are something that I think really goes underappreciated and even just having a dispatcher solely to answer those and create incidents could potentially be valuable. I think giving dispatchers more flexibility to control what tasks they are taking over while on duty could be helpful. As it stands, it's already up to them whether to enforce radio protocol.

 

[Exnem]

I think a good alternative to this would be allowing dispatch to continue to allow 911 incidents to show as normal if they wanted to. Having a dispatcher on and available enforcing radio protocol and coordinating units rather than maintaining absolute control through the shadows of the incident panel could be helpful in certain circumstances. The biggest example I can think of would be when there are two+ situations that need EMS, but they're all gathered staging somewhere waiting for the PD to give the all clear to move in. Also they could help make sure all units on scene are assigned to the same incident so they can have open comms on incident radio, leaving the general radio clear for everyone else.

Not to mention, voice 911 calls are something that I think really goes underappreciated and even just having a dispatcher solely to answer those and create incidents could potentially be valuable. I think giving dispatchers more flexibility to control what tasks they are taking over while on duty could be helpful. As it stands, it's already up to them whether to enforce radio protocol.

Thing is, this suggestion is aimed at fixing the quality of dispatchers. Giving them more tools won't do anything if the dispatchers don't know how to use them and when. This isn't an alternative, this is just ignorance in the face of incompetence.

 

[kerzify]

I don't think having a Dispatcher on PD makes it less interesting to play. If anything, I believe that it adds backbone on how police operate within the day when a dispatcher is online. A good dispatcher brings structure. There is often times when a lot of officers are on PD with constant chaos on the radio, and that structure translates into a more enjoyable, stable and professional experience for everybody involved. Instead of a bunch of officers overlapping incidents, and officers 'freelancing' their way through incidents, you get a calmer and more professional side to the radio and operations.

From what you mentioned in regards to Dispatch being too widely available, it is already a role that not every officer can just walk into. There are requirements we have on the application(s) that officers need to meet to be eligible. These application stages are obviously existent so officers have an opportunity to showcase their skills before being trusted with further responsibilities.

Even with a practical training point you have brought up. The suggestion you made to give applicants a rundown on how dispatching works, and the interface is all inside of the handbook that Patrol Command and Senior Dispatchers made, together. It's already practice which is standard, we have Senior Dispatchers working together to run practical's for those who are specifically wishing to progress within Dispatching.

I don't think removing dispatch is correct, a rework / refinement or improvements could absolutely be worthwhile and would make the role better for everyone, but scrapping Dispatch entirely would be unfair on those who genuinely enjoy playing as the role and especially those who are good at it.

 

[peeps]

I would just like to say from a development team perspective, removing Dispatch entirely is not a decision the Police Department can make, and is not one we would sign off on. The dispatch feature is something quite unique to our gamemode and we have no plans to remove it.

As for overhauling the application process that is well within the departments area to make decisions on, though generally speaking we do like to make sure things are kept relatively accessible to everyone who wants to give stuff an honest try. We worked with the PD a couple of years ago to overhaul the TFU application process which long term has been positive. Locking junior dispatchers to only play with other dispatchers on would most likely lead to very few people actually being able to get the role (as dispatchers being on is relatively rare), and many of the current dispatchers learnt by soloing the job.

I think the solution lies somewhere in an updated application that does more to teach you instead of just test you, better training resources that don't require 1 to 1 training, and perhaps if the PD wanted, they could work with us on a Dispatcher Lite™ mode for junior dispatchers that gives less responsibility but also means the job can be learnt in a less overwhelming way.

Overall the approach is up to the PLPD, with development help if they want it.

 

[Scoutdoge (Liam O'Shea)]

I feel as if dispatchers are similar to spies from TF2, bear with me here. In TF2, if you have 1+ shit spy, your basically down a player and they just do nothing. If you have 1 good spy, he can basically sabotage the enemy team single handily. If you have 1+ bad dispatchers, you basically need to physically fight crims and mentally fight the annoying dispatcher that is being, as stated, annoying and probably doesn't know how to work the dispatch computer. But 1 good dispatcher, and you have an amazing UAV/Incident controller/Radio Manager.

 

[Exnem]

I don't think having a Dispatcher on PD makes it less interesting to play. If anything, I believe that it adds backbone on how police operate within the day when a dispatcher is online. A good dispatcher brings structure.

When a proper dispatcher is on duty, I agree with this completely.

From what you mentioned in regards to Dispatch being too widely available, it is already a role that not every officer can just walk into. There are requirements we have on the application(s) that officers need to meet to be eligible. These application stages are obviously existent so officers have an opportunity to showcase their skills before being trusted with further responsibilities.

This is not entirely true. Becoming a probationary dispatcher takes an automated test that is easily passed by reading the handbook and answering by it. Get 3 days of playtime and you can apply as a CIVILIAN. A civilian can't have an infraction on record, and so that requirement is moot.
I appreciate what you're trying to say here, but this only really applies to the standard dispatcher roles and beyond. Any joe can pass the automated stages and go on duty and take control as long as they have the reading comprehension to do so.

The suggestion you made to give applicants a rundown on how dispatching works, and the interface is all inside of the handbook that Patrol Command and Senior Dispatchers made, together.

My issue with this is that this is a little too hands-off. You aren't guaranteed to get an applicant who has the patience to read through a bunch of things, and to top it off not everyone learns the same way. I learn by doing, and so reading a full page can help me short-term, but in the long term I'll have forgotten all the material within a day. At least speaking for myself, the practical demonstration part of the TFU apps was excellent for helping applicants learn the systems they were going to be interacting with.

I can see why this isn't a thing for the J. Dispatcher application, but I feel like it should be emphasized somewhere in the handbook that you can and should request practical training from a dispatch trainer.

I don't think removing dispatch is correct

I agree, and I don't believe it would ever be the outcome of this suggestion. I listed it as a redundant alternative though.

scrapping Dispatch entirely would be unfair on those who genuinely enjoy playing as the role and especially those who are good at it.

I listed this as a negative in the OP when I made this, so I agree.

a rework / refinement or improvements could absolutely be worthwhile and would make the role better for everyone

Being a dispatcher takes a certain skillset, which should be specifically vetted for. J. Dispatch is a good start to learn and to see if you're cut out for the role, but I think standard Dispatcher applications should be the focus point on which additional scrutiny should be applied, paired with restricting J. Dispatchers from going on-duty without standard Dispatchers or above.

 

[Scoutdoge (Liam O'Shea)]

J. Dispatchers from going on-duty without standard Dispatchers or above.

So basically just make J. Dispatchers work like RTFOs? Could work tbh

 

[Exnem]

Locking junior dispatchers to only play with other dispatchers on would most likely lead to very few people actually being able to get the role (as dispatchers being on is relatively rare), and many of the current dispatchers learnt by soloing the job.

I think the solution lies somewhere in an updated application that does more to teach you instead of just test you, better training resources that don't require 1 to 1 training, and perhaps if the PD wanted, they could work with us on a Dispatcher Lite™ mode for junior dispatchers that gives less responsibility but also means the job can be learnt in a less overwhelming way.

I actually really like this proposal. If a middle-point can be found where J. Dispatchers can interact with the systems without limiting overall PD capabilities, that would work out great without the need for a policy requiring a Junior Dispatcher to pair with a standard or above. I will say though, I have seen plenty of dispatchers in recent times, but they are definitely less common than someone being mayor.

What if incident announcements weren't disabled if a Junior Dispatcher was in service? It'd help mitigate the sense of darkness the PD enters when said dispatcher is still familiarizing themselves with the role and completely forgets to assign people or even let them know things are happening?

Edit: I am removing the suggestion to retire the dispatch division.

 

[Dekkrior]

To be fair, I also thing something tangentially related to this is that most officers and gov employees as whole do not utilize the incident system outside dispatch, and making people more familiar with it could be helpful too. Incident radio is WILDLY underutilized and I feel like it should be more reinforced, and utilizing incidents effectively should be a bigger part of getting SO.

Limiting probationary dispatchers ability as well kinda falls in line with where I was going too, even if they could just manage incidents without fully taking over, (Or hell, just being a 911 operator. Id love to LARP as a 911 operator without having to take full control of the entire government workforce) would be a decent stopgap

edit: I know SOME people use incidents, but not nearly as many as could/should

 

[northnortheast]

Id love to LARP as a 911 operator without having to take full control of the entire government workforce

Police Suggestion Thread 'Toggle Dispatch Responsibilities'

Today at 4:35 PM

Suggestion Title: Toggle Dispatch Responsibilities
Suggestion Description: Add an extra tab to the Dispatcher Menu with a checkbox to enable/disable your responsibilities, including:

- Incident Control
- Panics/Life Alerts
- 911 Calls
- Open Comms (???)

Disabling any of these responsibilities means that they will behave as if there is no dispatcher on (incidents will come through as normal, etc)

Enabling any of these delegates the responsibility to you, as currently works when dispatcher is active (calls and incidents directed to you first)

Why should this be added?:...

• northnortheast
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Ideas & Suggestions