Angel's that watch over us.

Paul,

I couldn't have said it better. Thank you, to all of the unsworn LMPD personnel that help us everyday. God Bless you for looking out for us.

497

Ditto, you are all unsung heroes that have a thankless job.

Paul,

Thank you for that article. As one of your dispatchers it is comforting to know you understand we are not just voices on the other end of the radio, but caretakers who worry about you all, stress about the runs, love you all, and grieve just as deeply as the rest of our LMPD family when the worst happens. It is difficult being physically disconnected from everything we send you on, but that's why we rely so heavily on your voices. Not just what you say, but how you say it. And sometimes, it's just a click of the radio and your code number that catches on the encoder box that might signal a problem. I don't view you all as simply voices on the other end of my radio either. I feel personally responsible for the officers on my channel and on my shift and getting them home safe every night. You call us angels and I only wish that were true. I would gladly take that title if it came with the heavenly powers that would guarantee none of you ever get hurt or pay the supreme sacrifice ever again. I'm proud to serve with each and every one of you. Stay safe.

For the sake of argument, let me play devils advocate for the moment.

Most people who call the police usually do it as a last resort. They

are at wit's end, frustrated, under duress, or in a panic. In all cases

it is hard to maintain composure.

I called 911 once for a fight outside on an aprtment building balcony.

I gave the calltaker the address but she kept asking me for the

apratment number. Now did she expect me walk over and interrupt

the fight and get the apartment number or what? The more frustrated

I got trying to get a policeman there the nastier she got.

if it is the job of the police department to "protect and serve" what

priorties are placed on the protect and serve.? Does that put the

policeman 1st and the victim 2nd. If it is the job to look ouf for the

policeman 1st then who looks out for the public? The fact is, if my

wife is being raped or harmed I certainly don't want the responding

police to put their welfare if front of hers. If this is the case then the

public needs to rethink the role of police.

I am a staunch police supporter, i dislike people like Louis Coleman

and all those who would play politics with our police department. But

I still maintain that dispatchers and police alike should care "as much"

about the public safety as they do their own.

Paul, great comments I agree they are our guardian angels, and they are great people too. I recommend stopping by and saying Hi to them if you have the chance.(they make a mean cup of water on a hot day!) I know they like putting a face to the voice. Thanks for all you do, status checks errrr 10-64's and we are going to continue back-up untill you can advise. Thanks again

Carey Hirtzel 174

As a former police/fire dispatcher and a police officer for 6 yrs, I can say that the dispatcher is a very important partner. I appreciate them and understand the stress they are under for 8 or more hours a shift. Yes, good dispatchers are angels who watch over us. I worried about my officers to the point I had to become one, so that I could be out there with them and do more to help and protect them.

I do have a suggestion for all depts- Have all new hire dispatchers ride along for a couple shifts, at least, so they can see the other end of their job. It is an eye-opener, which will help them understand the officer's position on the receiving end of the communication and how important they are to a safe and successful conclusion to each radio call.

People usually do the best job they can, but sometimes people have "bad days" and sometimes they don't have enough training or experience to deal with the situation properly. In regards to the radio room, the dispatchers should ride with whoever they're dispatching for a month before they ever sit behind a microphone. Not everything can be learned in a classroom or from 2nd hand stories. Experienced street Officers or Sergeants should be assigned to the dispatch room, actually monitoring the radio full-time to help with calls demanding an Officer's knowledge first-hand. There are always people at home due to injuries who could be working. Most actually hate sitting at home. Why not let them do something productive that might help save a fellow Officer from a bad Dispatching decision due to a simple lack of police training and experience. "Light duty" is not a 4-letter word and I wouldn't entirely call it light duty anyhow.

Thank you Paul, you will never know how important it is for dispatchers to know that there are officers who really believe in them. We are not the enemies, and we do care about doing a good job. Our intentions are never to purposely put officers in harms way, and as you stated any situations could turn deadly in the matter of minutes. It could be the officer that stopped a violator enroute to back up a fellow brother or sister on a domestic, shooting or a cutting (it happens). And it also could be the officer that carelessly called off, or there lack of calling off and get into trouble, (that's out of our control). Like you, we would have never known that a 10-48 would be the last call. Again thank you Paul, you are greatly appreciated......

To the Officers I work for:

Did you know that I worry about you? When you get hurt in an accident, fight or chasing someone I ask myself could I have done my job better? I've riden along on no less than 20 occasions, usually staying the full shift to see how it starts and how the night closes. I've gone out in the rain, snow, and freezing cold, because I know that you have to. Do I ride along because I want to be an officer? No, I ride along to see how I can do my job better. I know who should answer on the first call, I know who sometimes needs to have their name called. I know your voice, and when your voice isn't right, sometimes that's important. I know which officer on my channel need to be specially watched over, which ones like to jump out without calling out. When a location isn't clear to me, I ask again, And I belittle myself because I didn't catch a number or a street name. I never assume that that I don't need the location, that this won't be the time I need to know where you are. And most of all I know sometimes all that I try to do is not enough, and that even on the wings of angels, you can't get there fast enough. Each time I pull my headset out to put it on my head, I ask for God to Watch over me, and you so that we get through the night without having to use a tone, or a gun. I know for a fact that lots of Officers think dispatchers don't care, I've actually asked lots of them to tell me how they feel about the radio room. But then I also ask them to come down to the radio room, and make a point of getting to know some of the officers I work for. When you don't answer your radio, I'll start the calvary. All I ask is that you don't be upset when I ask for the street name again, won't cancel your backup, status check you, or start 12 cars when you don't answer. Understand that sometimes what you hear in my voice is not anger or agitation, it's fear or frustration. We have radios that are horrible, old and full of static and our computers don't move near as fast as you men and women do. I consider it a true honor to be able to work with each of you. And just like each of you, I never want to stand beside the grave of an Officer ever again.

I am glad to finally see that the people in communications are and always have been there for our officers out on the street. I have seen the fear in their eyes and voice when one of our officers is in trouble or in a chase. They are the first to step up to help any of the officers on the street or the officers family. These people go un noticed each and every day.

Paul, As a dispatcher, I want to thank you for realizing how difficult it can be on us when we are on the radio!! Especially now, I want to thank all the officers that are realizing again, just how important that status check is or that 10-9 what's your 20 & thanks for the response knowing that it isn't because I am trying to "bug" them, but am truly concerned for his/her safety. I am truly PROUD to be working with such a great bunch of men & women that take the world on on a daily basis. You guys keep up the great work & I can promise you that I'm still gonna status check you!!!!!

Paul, thank-you so much for your that. I couldn't have said it better. As one of your suburban dispatchers I do worry everytime I send one of my officers on a run that could potentially be bad. Especially when we do have little or no information. My heart literally stops beating when one of my officers 10-30 button goes off, or they do not answer their radio, or they get in a pursuit. Even though we are not on the streets w/you, we still feel like your family. When I'm on the radio I pray every night that I get each & every one of you home safely to your families. I don't know about being your angel, but I will continue to do my best to make sure you all get home safely. Thank you all for protecting us day & night & risking you lives.

To the Public:

Our dispatchers are the lifeline to the officers in the field. They do the best they can when they answer your phone call. Don.t condemn them for asking questions that may seem to have nothing to do with YOUR PROBLEM. They care about the officers who are coming to YOUR problem and we need all the information we can get so we can formulate a plan of action when we get there. Let me ask you this.

If you went to Bill Collins to buy a car and this is what you got would you buy it?

I like this car.

OK What kind is it?

Ford.

What kind of engine?

I don't know.

How muxch are the payments?

I don't know.

What kind of mileage does it get?

I don't know.

What size engine?

I don't know.

HOW LONG WOULD YOU DEAL WITH THIS PERSON???

See this is what the dispatchers get when they ask you questions about the situation in hand. They don't like sending the officers on blind calls no more than I like makeing them. So PUBLIC don't pick on dispatch or the officers who do a THANKLESS JOB for you. I didn't take it for the pay and they didn't either. WE TOOK IT BECAUSE WE WANT OUR FAMILIES TO BE AS SAFE AS YOURS ARE WHILE YOUR SLEEPING.

Richard Evans

LMPD

Paul, Thanks for the letter you submitted, As a dispatcher for the urban side for the last 12 yrs. I can tell you that the job is like being a parent, we do want to know our officers every move, we want them to be safe and worry about them on every dispatch run, because you never know what a report run or a minor run can turn into. We just want you to be safe and be able to go home to your family and loved ones at the end of your shift...At times we may sound short with you but its nothing personal we are fustrated with the equipment we have to work with and with the recent channel realignment may have made matters worse, To all the brave ones out there who protect our street may the angels of heaven protect you,,, Next week April 11th to the 15th is National Telecommunications Appreciation week, stop by and say hi. With respect to each and every one of you.. Davis Martin Urban communications 2p-10p shift

Before any one of us is critical of the jobs within the LMPD--and I do mean ANY job--- Could YOU, would YOU do that job. Don't be so hasty to knock our guys and gals in/out of blue. I trust your judgements would not be as good. We have so many 'top officials' in Louisville that need 'to walk a mile in those shoes"...I sure hope to see them replaced soon. I am proud of all the LMPD with one exception. Hats off to the calltakers , the dispatchers and the officiers--I sure sleep better--sign me somebody's parent.

Tyrus-Los Angeles, CA

I am not from Law Enforcement, but just saw the Video Tribute to Peter Grignon as was deeply moved. As a soldier who recently returned from Iraq, I have seen my share of death. None of it is good or makes sense.

As a black child growing up in one of the roughest parts of Los Angeles, I grew to truly dislike Police. As I grew up, went to school and then college, I learned not all police were bad, most were good and did care about the community.

As a grew older, I and experience things I never could imagine and meet elements I could never imagine; I now understand the importance of Law Enforcement, what you all do and experience. Fighting along side me were police officers from all over the country. I got to know them and their families like my own.

I'm not sure why I'm writing this, but just wanted to give you all my thanx for the job you do everyday in trying your best to help us. And while I don't live in the area you serve, I would like just to say (I don't know how much it means to you, I know it means a lot to me) Thank you, Louisville, for your sacrifice. We cry with you. As a citizen, I will do what I can to support you and your efforts and some day I hope the madness will end. Be safe.

May God bless you all.