Corpus Christi Caller-Times
By Steven Alford
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — They work the same nights, weekends and holidays — and deal with the same frantic people as police officers.
But for dispatchers at the police department’s MetroCom unit, there’s little public recognition for their efforts.
On Thursday 11 fresh faces were welcomed to the job and recognized by friends and family during a graduation ceremony at the police station for the department’s 42nd training academy.
It’s a position that can be stressful, demanding and one that incurs a high turnover rate, police officials said.
“You’ll have good days and you’ll have bad days, but don’t lose enthusiasm for what you do,” said Interim Police Chief Richard Badaracco. “It’s very important. There will be days when someone’s life depends on you.” Nearly 150 people applied for this year’s dispatcher academy and police officials chose fewer than a dozen.
About 90 percent of the recruits are women.
Graduate Carrie Knecht recently had moved back to Corpus Christi and was looking for a more fulfilling career than her temporary job at a local bank.
She stumbled upon a dispatcher job posting on a city website.
“I wanted a job that really meant something to me,” she said. “I decided to give it a shot.”
Knecht received the distinction Thursday of having the highest grade average of her class during the six-week training course.
During the academy, students handled real emergency calls. After graduation they will work for two months alongside a trainer before taking calls on their own.
One woman called because a vulture was on her roof and she feared for her children, Knecht said.
Last week Knecht walked a woman through performing CPR on an unconscious person for the first time.
“That was a little intense,” she said. “At that point you don’t have time to think, you just know what to focus on and you do your job.”
The recruits will join nearly 70 other dispatchers, who take calls for police, fire officials, the city’s animal control and a range of state and federal agencies.
Capt. Jason Brady, who oversees the MetroCom unit, said dispatchers are a critical link between residents and emergency responders.
“When a panicked citizen dials 911, it is the calm voice and quick thinking of the MetroCom call taker who will interpret the needs of the caller and make the necessary determination,” he said.
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