MPD actively recruits dispatchers, holds open house
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It's considered to be one of the most critical jobs in law enforcement and is required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and positions are available!
Police dispatchers take both emergency and non-emergency calls, and dispatch officers to respond on the street.
“This position is so critical. This is a direct line for the safety of the citizens for the city of Milwaukee,” Milwaukee Police Lt. Aimee Obregon said.
“It’s kind of controlled chaos,” dispatcher Tim Lemke said.
Lemke has been a dispatcher for 13 years and has handled some of the worst calls within the department.
“The two officers that got shot on the Southside, that was mine unfortunately,” Lemke said.
Lemke is just one of nearly 50 people who take the calls at the Telecommunications Center inside the District 3 police station. Last year, more than 770,000 calls were made, but that number will likely jump when MPD takes over all 911 cell phone calls made in the city.
“There are six major cell phone carriers in the city. We're taking calls from four of them and we're in the transition process right now of taking all six carriers,” Obregon said.
Because of that, the police department is actively recruiting 10 more dispatchers. Qualifications include residents with good computer skills, fast typing speeds and two years of customer service, or six months of similar 911 call center experience.
The rate of pay is between $17.06 and $22.77 an hour.
The department is holding an open house to provide more information.
“Gives applicants an opportunity to come to one of the districts and see what we will do,” MPD Human Resource Analyst Katrina Whittley said.
“I’ve probably had three or four officer involved shootings,” Lemke said.
While Lemke admits it's a position that at times can be high stress, it’s also very rewarding by playing a role in the safety of others.
“You're helping people every day," Lemke said.
The Dispatcher Open House will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26th at MPD District 3 Headquarters. It’s located at 2333 N. 49th Street (49th and Lisbon).
There is also another open house on Saturday at the same location from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If you can't make either of those, you can also apply online here.