The Communications Center, also known as the 9-1-1 Center, is responsible for the handling of all calls for Police, Fire, and Rescue service. This area is staffed by highly trained civilian employees 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Police Department employs 21 Dispatchers, 10 Complaint Operators, and 4 Communication Shift Supervisors.

There are three primary job functions within the Communications Center. The first is the Call Taker or Complaint Operator. When a telephone call is received by the Center either on a 9-1-1 line or non-emergency line, the Call Taker enters the information into a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. The information is then electronically transferred to a Dispatcher, who is then responsible for dispatching Police, Fire, or Rescue units to the scene. The third area in dispatch is known as Teletype. This area is directly responsible to aid officers in background information request and criminal history searches. The Communications staff works hard to handle every emergency as it comes into the Center.

This past year the Communications Center was the first Public Safety Answering Point in Broward County to receive the newest Positron Power 911 Telephone System. This allows our staff to handle calls on a touch screen with all the latest available technology and upgrades.  The City of Plantation is in the process of upgrading all computer systems in the City. The Police Department’s Communications Center was also the first area to go live with the newest, state-of-the-art Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. This system starts in dispatch and disseminates information throughout the entire department electronically. The Communications Center is looking forward to upcoming renovations to make our work environment the best in the Tri-County Area. We have the latest and greatest equipment available.