In 1991 Congress proclaimed the second full week in April to be National Telecommunications Week to recognize the importance of those special individuals who coordinate the efforts police, fire, and EMS workers as they perform their duties. Telecommunications operators are the unsung heroes of public safety. To the public they are faceless voices heard over the scanner. To public safety workers they dispatch for, they are a lifeline. Governor Michael R. Pence has proclaimed the week of April 14-20 as Telecommunications Week in Indiana (See Photo #1).
Telecommunications is a function that operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week and 365 days per year and can be very stressful. One minute an operator can be communicating a routine function to an officer and the next minute they may be coordinating a high speed pursuit, dispatching emergency assistance to an accident scene, or coordinating a situation where police officers are involved in a gun battle.
All Indiana State Police telecommunications operators must pass a written test, a typing test, appear before an interview board, and go through a background investigation before being hired as an ISP telecommunications operator. Once hired, they must then endure at least 12 weeks of intense training and continuous in-service training throughout their careers to maintain certifications and keep up-to-date on the latest communications technology and procedures.
Indiana State Police Telecommunications Operators now work from Regional Dispatch Centers in Bloomington, Versailles, Ft Wayne, Lowell, Bristol (Toll Road) and Indianapolis. They are responsible for dispatching troopers and motor carrier inspectors to calls for service in their ISP Districts which cover all 92 counties in Indiana. Currently at each Regional Dispatch Center, there is one dispatch center manager, three telecommunications supervisors, and several telecommunications operators.
A list of all Indiana State Police Telecommunications Operators along with their pictures is available upon request. Please contact your ISP Public Information Officer at http://www.in.gov/isp/2365.htm#
and click on your home county for their contact information.
