Thursday, June 29, 2006

Selma 911 police dispatching

I know that it is not a popular subject with the Selma Police Department's dispatchers (I know because I know what it is like to lose a job you are dedicated to and I have an email inbox), but I am glad that the town has elected to convert to the county 911 system. The Selma News had a full story today. The WMPM web site had this to say today:


911 Center Can Meet Deadline To Handle Police Dispatching - Johnston County 911 Director Jason Barbour said his department will be able to meet a January 1 deadline to switch police dispatching from the Selma Police Station to the 911 Center. Earlier this week, the Selma Town Council voted to eliminate dispatching from the police station for the more advanced technology at the 911 Center. Three of four positions will be eliminated when the transfer takes place. Barbour said he encouraged the three dispatchers being displaced to apply for a job at the 911 Center. “We definitely encourage them to apply. It’s in our interest to hire people familiar with Selma Police procedures,” Barbour said. The starting salary for 911 dispatchers in Johnston County is $26,000 annually plus benefits. The 911 Center will also have to add a new console to handle Selma police calls. The console plus radio equipment could cost upwards of $75,000 to purchase.

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