Police Department Overview

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Updates

To Serve and Protect . . . More than just a Slogan
Niles Police Officers (l to r) Evans, Kosten, Walter & Glick

Canine Officer on Duty

On the left is Canine Police Officer Sergeant Riggs Von Der Haus Foster (we call him Officer Riggs), he arrived as a three-year old solid black German Shepherd of Czechoslovakian origin.  You'll always see him with his handler, Officer Shane Daniels.

Look What Community Sponsorships Can Do!

These children participated in the Niles City Police Department's "Fish with a Cop" Summer Program.  The program brings children of the Parks and Recreation's Summer Park Program together to participate in lots of fun activities while learning about safety issues. . . and the best part is everyone who wants gets to go fishing with the police officers who volunteer their time.  The main supporter of the "Fish with a Cop" program is our own local Wal-mart Store.  Program Coordinator Officer Kevin Kosten (far left) says that the Police Department has a lot of community supporters, but that Wal-Mart and Wal-mart executive Mary Jane Davis (far right) have been especially generous to this particular program providing everything from fishing gear and prizes for activities to gifts for each child.  Thank You Wal-mart!

And let's not forget one of the Best Fishing Holes in Niles. . . 
~ A BIG Thank You to the Spaulding Family for allowing us to use Spaulding Lake ~

Dispatchers Get the Call First!

Dispatchers schedule and dispatch workers, equipment, or service vehicles to carry materials or passengers. Some dispatchers take calls for taxi companies, for example, or for police or ambulance assistance. They keep records, logs, and schedules of the calls that they receive and of the transportation vehicles that they monitor and control. In fact, they usually prepare a detailed report on all activities occurring during their shifts. Many dispatchers employ computer-aided dispatch systems to accomplish these tasks. All dispatchers are assigned a specific territory and have responsibility for all communications within that area. Many work in teams, especially dispatchers in large communications centers or companies. The work of dispatchers varies greatly, depending on the industry in which they work.

Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers, also called public safety dispatchers or 911 operators, monitor the location of emergency services personnel from one or all of the jurisdiction’s emergency services departments. These workers dispatch the appropriate type and number of units in response to calls for assistance. Dispatchers often are the first people the public contacts when emergency assistance is required. If certified for emergency medical services, the dispatcher may provide medical instruction to those on the scene of the emergency until the medical staff arrives. 

Public service dispatchers work in a variety of settings—a police station, a fire station, a hospital, or, increasingly, a centralized communications center. When handling calls, dispatchers question each caller carefully to determine the type, seriousness, and location of the emergency. The information obtained is posted either electronically by computer or, with decreasing frequency, by hand. The dispatcher then quickly decides the priority of the incident, the kind and number of units needed, and the location of the closest and most suitable units available. When appropriate, dispatchers stay in close contact with other service providers—for example, a police dispatcher would monitor the response of the fire department when there is a major fire. In a medical emergency, dispatchers keep in close touch not only with the dispatched units, but also with the caller. They may give extensive first-aid instructions before the emergency personnel arrive, while the caller is waiting for the ambulance. Dispatchers continuously give updates on the patient’s condition to the ambulance personnel and often serve as a link between the medical staff in a hospital and the emergency medical technicians in the ambulance. 

The work of dispatchers can be very hectic when many calls come in at the same time. The job of public safety dispatchers is particularly stressful because a slow or an improper response to a call can result in serious injury or further harm. Also, callers who are anxious or afraid may become excited and be unable to provide needed information; some may even become abusive. Despite provocations, dispatchers must remain calm, objective, and in control of the situation. Dispatchers sit for long periods, using telephones, computers, and two-way radios. Much of their time is spent at video display terminals, viewing monitors and observing traffic patterns.  As a result of working for long stretches with computers and other electronic equipment, dispatchers can experience significant eyestrain and back discomfort.  Generally, dispatchers work a 40-hour week; however, rotating shifts and compressed work schedules are common. Alternative work schedules are necessary to accommodate evening, weekend, and holiday work and 24-hour-per-day, 7-day-per-week operations. 

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