VCU news

By Mike Porter

They play a quiet, often thankless, behind-the-scenes role, but communications officers in the Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department are a critical link between people in trouble and the help they need. And this week, police department leaders are recognizing dispatchers for a job well done.

VCU Police dispatchers handle an average of 5,000 calls each week. In addition to sending police to accident or crime scenes, dispatchers coordinate VCU escort van service requests, monitor building alarms, send help when needed to elevator emergency calls and handle a wide range of public safety questions from students, faculty, staff, parents and neighboring residents and businesses. The dispatchers also manage the VCU police walk-up service window.

“For many people, we are their first impression of the VCU Police Department. We have to be on point, ready and approachable,” said acting Communications Operations Manager Tameeka Baugh.
Baugh, who started working as a dispatcher six-and-a-half years ago and has steadily risen through the ranks, admits the job can be stressful at times, but she can’t imagine doing anything else.

“You never know what you’re going to get when you answer the phone,” Baugh said. “And that’s the thrill of it.”

There are 16 full-time and 10 part-time workers who staff communications operations at the VCU Police Department around the clock, including Supervisor Catherine Milton, who said she enjoys the fast pace of the job.

“When you are this busy, the day goes by fast. I wouldn’t want to work at a job where you feel like you’re doing nothing all day,” Milton said. “Here, I feel like I’m making a concrete contribute that helps people.”

This week, VCU police leaders thanked the dispatchers for their hard work with pizza and cookies during a series of receptions.

Similar celebrations have taken place nationwide as part of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, which was created by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff's Office in 1981. Anderson wanted to raise awareness of the hard work and dedication of 9-1-1 call takers, dispatchers and other telecommunications staff.