Communication / Dispatch

The Communications Unit is a significant component of the Police Department, providing a vital link between the community and public safety personnel. Communications personnel are often the first contact in a citizen’s emergency situation. They are tasked with interpreting the individual’s needs and coordinating the response of appropriate services.

These highly trained individuals are responsible for providing assistance to callers on more than twenty-five incoming telephone lines including 911 emergency, alternate emergency and business lines. In addition to answering the multitude of phone lines, communications personnel are tasked with dispatching calls via radio and a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. They also monitor over a dozen different radio channels. These radio channels include all of the frequencies utilized by the various units of the department, local government and other allied agencies. Dispatchers use a unified channel to link a Redlands Police Department officer with officers from other area agencies. This radio link capability is especially useful during vehicle pursuits into other jurisdictions and when responding to mutual requests for assistance.

The Communication Unit also utilizes a variety of cameras from various locations in town to support responding units on calls for service and by providing an additional resource to ensure site security at the various locations. The Communications Unit implemented the ability for members of the community to contact the Communications Unit through a 911 email system which is currently one of the only such systems in San Bernardino County. The Communications Section responds daily to hundreds of telephone and radio calls.