Communications Center

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days per year by professional dispatchers trained to handle emergencies. There are 10 full-time dispatchers assigned to this area.

Communications Officers

All Communications Officers are required to be EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) trained and are required to attend Telecommunicator training.

The Communications Officers are responsible for incoming calls from the public as well as responding to the needs of Patrol units in the field. Dispatchers are effectively known as the “lifeline” to all patrol units in the field.

The Communications Officers receive all incoming calls on the main telephone lines of the Sheriff’s Office and all 911 calls on three separate telephone lines. There are generally two Communications Officers working together on one eight-hour shift. When a call is received, the dispatcher records all pertinent information, then if necessary dispatches a patrol unit and any other emergency personnel. The dispatchers are also responsible for paging the EMS squads and the County Fire Departments.

If a unit responds, the dispatcher documents everything that takes place, and completes any other requests made by the officer on the scene. A typical request might include running a vehicle registration, looking up a telephone number, making a warrant check, contacting a hospital and/or Life Flight, entering warrants, documenting stolen items, and processing information for the courts.