Whitley County 911 Dispatcher Amanda G. Woosley and a Bell County 911 Dispatcher Laura Kathryn Ledford were among the 27 dispatchers from across Kentucky, who graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s (DOCJT) Public Safety Dispatcher Academy last Friday. They are now ready to begin answering the call to aid both citizens and law enforcement officers of the commonwealth.
“Your commitment to your community and commonwealth is honorable,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “You are the lifeline to those who are experiencing the roughest moments of their lives. Thank you for answering the call to serve and being a calm voice amid chaos.”
Dispatch basic training is mandatory for any sworn or civilian employee who will dispatch law enforcement officers by radio at a Criminal Justice Information Systems agency. Graduates of the academy have successfully completed a highly structured and comprehensive curriculum to satisfy mandated training requirements.
Over four weeks, the graduates of Class 165 received 164 hours of academy instruction to satisfy these requirements. Major training areas included identifying the role and responsibilities of the dispatcher, correct phone and radio procedures, handling emergency and nonemergency calls for service, using emergency medical dispatch protocols and using the state and national criminal databases.
“Choosing to become a member of a time-honored profession is admirable,” said DOCJT Commissioner Mike Bosse. “It carries with it a commitment of honor and professionalism. I thank you for your commitment and wish you the best of luck in your careers.”
