The Coconut Creek Police Communications Center is the electronic hub of the Police Department. The Center handles incoming calls from a total of 13 phone lines consisting of three emergency 911 lines, nine non-emergency phone lines, and a phone line designated specifically for alarm companies.

There are four dispatch positions in the Center. The dispatchers are literally “plugged” into the system via a cord from their headsets, which will allow them to move no more than 5 feet from their console. Through this connection, the dispatchers communicate with civilians, police officers, paramedics, firefighters and other governmental agencies across the nation – on a daily basis. A ring of 14 computer monitors surround the dispatchers, providing them with many different types of essential information.

What happens when a citizen needs a police officer? A dispatcher assigned to “call-taker” duty answers every incoming call and prioritizes it according the impact it could have on human life or property. The call-taker then enters the information into the computer system. If the call requires a police response, the information will then appear on the computer screen of another dispatcher who is assigned to the “radio.” The radio dispatcher will then put the call out over the air, directing it to the nearest available police officer. If the call for service requires it, the dispatcher will send multiple police units to handle whatever situation arises. With the established lines of communication that we have with other police and emergency agencies throughout the state, our dispatchers are prepared and equipped to coordinate responses to anything that could possibly happen in our city.

Dispatchers also handle other duties that are not obvious to the casual observer. There is the upkeep of numerous departmental logs, the retrieving and entering of information into the National and State Crime Information Center’s computer. There is the upkeep of restraining orders in our city, the monitoring of our police department’s alarm and video surveillance systems, the electronic controlling of various gates and access doors in the facility, and much more.

The Coconut Creek Police Communications Center employs 13 people. There are 8 Communications dispatchers, 3 Communications Training Officers, and 2 Communications Supervisors. Immediately after being hired, new dispatchers receive two weeks of training in a classroom setting where they are taught the basic concepts of emergency dispatching. After this, they receive hands-on training in the center by the Communications Training Officers for a period of 9 to 12 months before they are competent to dispatch alone (without a trainer). As you can imagine, the learning curve goes almost straight up for those with little previous experience in emergency work. All dispatchers attend ongoing training classes offered by various public safety institutions in order to remain up to date on the ever-changing world of police communications.

In 2006, our dispatch center handled over 40,000 calls which resulted in a police response. This does not include the dozens of calls received each day requesting directions, police information, city information, and general questions.

• You have been or are about to be a victim or witness to a crime that is in progress or has just occurred.
• Someone becomes ill or is injured.
• You see smoke, flames, or smell something burning.
• Your child is missing
• You believe there is a serious and credible threat to persons or property.

• Any incident that requires a police response that has a significant time delay.
• You are not in immediate danger.

If you accidentally dial 911, stay on the line and inform the dispatcher you dialed by mistake. All 911 "hang-ups" require a police response.

ALWAYS remember to stay calm while speaking with dispatchers; help is on the way as the dispatcher speaks with you.

• Police - Fire - Medical EMERGENCIES: DIAL 911
• Non - Emergency incidents requiring a police response: 954-973-6700
• Non - Emergency information related to crisis incidents: DIAL 211