Police dispatchers are responsible for dispatching police, fire, paramedics, and other public safety units. The Police Communications Center also answers the emergency yellow call boxes located throughout the campus. In addition, a wide variety of fire and security alarms are monitored at the Communications Center.
Dispatchers also utilize and monitor various campus and law enforcement radio frequencies.
UCSD Police dispatchers are professionally trained to handle a wide range of public safety emergencies. New dispatchers receive 300 to 400 hours of in-house training. In addition, they are certified by the State of California after completing 120 hours of Peace Officer Standard Training within the first year of their employment. The UCSD Police Communications Center is staffed by one dispatcher on days and nights, while afternoons are staffed with two dispatchers. After hours, the police station is locked, but a phone located in front of the station allows communications with the dispatcher on duty.