Police Dispatcher I / Police Communications Operator

• Effectively communicate with, and elicit information from distressed and irate callers and communicate emergency instructions over the telephone
• Effectively use a wide variety of public safety codes and computer commands
• Operate dispatch-related equipment quickly, accurately and, at times, concurrently
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including department policies and procedures
• Accurately spell and maintain complete files and records
• Coordinate and relay emergency call information and assistance requests to other agencies, such as fire and police departments, utility companies, service agencies, and other inter-agency departments.

The department has sole discretion to hire at the Police Dispatcher I or Police Communications Operator level based on experience and available vacancies.

The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
 

To view the full job description for the Dispatcher I, click HERE
To view the full job description for the Police Communications Operator, click HEREPolice Dispatcher I
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities are as follows: 

Experience: 
Performing high-volume public contact work.
 
Knowledge of: 
English usage and spelling; record keeping methods; principles of human relations; and basic safety precautions and procedures.
 
Ability to: 
Learn the functions of the position; act quickly in an emergency and adopt an effective course of action; work under stress, dealing with emergency situations; speak clearly and concisely; listen to and record information clearly and accurately; remember numerous details; read, understand and apply moderately difficult materials; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; operate a computer keyboard to enter, receive and manipulate associated data; type a minimum of 50 words per minute without errors; establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Police Communications Operator
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities are as follows: 

Experience: Prior experience that includes heavy public contact as a telephone operator, receptionist, police cadet, or related position, is required.

Knowledge of: English usage and spelling, basic telephone procedures and techniques, and principles of effective verbal communication.

Ability to: Type 50 net wpm quickly and accurately on a computer keyboard; write quickly and legibly; speak clearly and distinctly; remain calm in crises and high stress situations; solicit required information from callers; receive confidential information and maintain confidentiality; understand pertinent procedures and functions quickly and apply them without immediate supervision; establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Environmental Conditions: Exposure to high-frequency noise.

Physical Conditions: Work is performed in an office environment utilizing modern office equipment and technology and may require sitting for prolonged periods of time using a computer. The incumbent stands, walks, and may twist, reach, bend, crouch and kneel. An incumbent must be able to meet the requirements of the classification and have mobility, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.  
 
NOTE: Must be available to work assigned shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Employees of the Anaheim Police Department must be permanent and full-time residents of the State of California and live within a one hundred (100) mile radius of the City of Anaheim.

License/Certification Required: 
Possession of a valid California Driver's License by date of appointment.
Applications will be accepted until Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline. 

Performance Exam - The performance exam is a computer-based work simulation test that measures the general aptitudes needed to be a dispatcher. No prior dispatch experience is necessary to pass the test. For additional information regarding the performance exam review, please visit their website:  CritiCall Candidate Resources

Performance Exam Waiver Request:
Performance Exam Scoring
This is a pass/fail exam. The test module scores are weighted to account for correct responses to the decision-making scenario prompts. Applicants must pass all 12 test modules to successfully complete the performance exam and move to the oral panel interview.

The following documents are required and must be completed and brought to the oral interview:
   

• Preliminary Background Information Form / PHS  
• Background Investigation Questionnaire (BIQ)
• Required Documents
• Applicant Autobiography

 
Please provide as many of the required documents along with your Preliminary Background Information Form / PHS, BIQ, and Applicant Autobiography. Items such as transcripts, credit report or other missing documents can be provided upon your receiving them. 
 
Further selection steps include, but are not limited to a background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol screening, and an interview with the Chief of Police. The interview with the background investigator and completion of the background investigation will include, but is not limited to, verification and evaluation of any present and/or past use of drugs, driving and employment history.
 
Please review the following common disqualifiers. If any items listed pertain to you, you will be automatically disqualified in the background investigation. You may, at this time, want to screen yourself and withdraw prior to starting the recruitment process.

• Any illegal use, sales, or possession of a drug classified as an opiate (heroin, opium, etc.) or PCP.
• Any use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) within five years of date of application.
• Any illegal use of anabolic steroids within three years of date of application.
• Two or more at-fault traffic collisions within three years of the date of application.
• Conviction of a hit-and run offense.
• Any driver's license suspension within five years of date of application.
• Conviction of a felony crime.
• Conviction of any misdemeanor crime within five years of application.
• Any conviction as an adult, of any misdemeanor crime involving domestic violence, sexual-related offenses or crimes against children.
• Any conviction as an adult, of a theft or larceny crime.

 The following may result in disqualification:

• Use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) previous to five years of application.
• Prior nitrous oxide use.
• Illegal use of anabolic steroids previous to three years of application.
• Illegal use of a hypodermic needle/ syringe.
• A pattern or history of irresponsibility as evidenced by debt collections, civil judgments, failure to pay, late payments, etc.
• More than one moving violation in the past 12 months, and/or three or more moving citations within the past three years, and/or five or more moving citations within the past five years of date of application.

 
Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration.
 
The City of Anaheim uses E-Verify and new employees must provide documentation to establish both work authorization and identity.
 
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process.
   

Salary : $63,107 - $80,538