Shelton Police Department Communications

The Shelton Police Department Communications Center is located in the Shelton Police Department Headquarters. The Communications Center answers all routine and E-911 calls that come into the Shelton Police Department. The Communications Center is responsible for dispatching all Police and Shelton Fire Department calls and transferring all EMS calls to C-MED-New Haven.

The Shelton Police Department Communications Center dispatches Police and Fire Units to calls

using Computer Aided Dispatching (C.A.D.). Based on the location of calls, the C.A.D will determine which primary and back-up units should be dispatched for the fastest response. The C.A.D. system will then send out the call information to the officer's in car computer, or Mobile Data Terminal (M.D.T.) The officer will receive the call location, call type, any alerts for the address, complainant information and will be able to map the location if needed. The C.A.D. system, which replaced an AS400 dispatching system, went live on February 12, 2001.

Currently there are 6 Full-Time and 5 Part-Time Dispatchers working for Communications. Dispatchers must pass extensive training and Probationary periods before being allowed to work on

their own. Dispatchers are mandated to attend a one day 911 equipment training class, three day NCIC/COLLECT training class, and a two week Public Safety Tele-communicator Training Program. These classes teach the dispatcher trainee how to use various techniques on the use of the telephone and radio; Liability Issues, how to operate the Emergency 911 systems and Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD); how to dispatch Police, Fire and Medical calls, how to dispatch Hazardous Materials calls; to have and understanding of Criminal vs. Civil laws, including Protection and Restraining Orders and how to use the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and COLLECT computer systems. After attending these classes, the trainee must still go through one hundred and twenty hours of mandated on the job training.

Shelton Police Dispatchers answer about 150,000 phone calls a year while dispatching almost 29,000 calls for service.

Do you know when to call?

A call to 9-1-1 should always be a call for help

When to call 9-1-1

To get help for someone who is hurt

If you see someone taking something that belongs to someone else

If you see someone hurting someone else

If you smell smoke or see a fire

Does everyone in your family know that a call to 9-1-1 from a payphone is free?

Do you know when NOT to call 9-1-1 ?

Never call 9-1-1 as a joke!

Never call 9-1-1 to ask for information!

Never call 9-1-1 to see if it works.

Remember, if you see any emergency situation, Police, Fire, or Medical, call 9-1-1 first