Communications

Section Responsibilities & Services

The Communications Section is a public safety dispatch facility that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Professionally trained communications specialists process calls received from the public and with the aid of computerized dispatch technology, dispatch Police, Fire, and/or EMS units as needed. The Communications Section is responsible for maintaining the department's radio, mobile data, and telephone equipment. Division personnel also provide information to the FBI and other police agencies via the National and Texas Crime Information Center networks.

How the Center Works

The communications center is equipped to communicate with all agencies within the County of Montague and surrounding agencies. The department operates an enhanced 9-1-1 system that services the 872-area code exchange. All radio and telephone communications that enter the center are recorded with a digital recording system. In the event of power failure or a disaster situation, the department can resort to a backup power system that while maintain radio and telephone communications.

Staffing of the Communications Section consists of five communication specialists and one support services commander. New communicators (dispatchers) are trained in-house. Training topics include but are not limited to geography, telephone and radio procedures, E911, CPR, job-related terminology, and the use of numerous in-house and statewide computer systems. Communication specialists are also required to complete training mandated by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Educations and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Duties of a Communications Specialist

  • Develop positive relationships between the public and the police department through professional courteous service.
  • Ensure proper disposition of all incoming requests in a timely manner.
  • Maintain and update NCIC-TCIC files and entries.
  • Maintain constant communication with all field units.
  • Maintain, update, and delete information in all files kept by the division in order to facilitate orderly communications among the various divisions.
  • Obtain and distribute NCIC-TCIC information for police personnel.
  • Receive complaints, requests for service, and requests for information from the public.

Division Philosophy

The Communications Section is dedicated to providing the highest level of professional services to the citizens of the City of Bowie. The accurate processing of information is essential to assuring a meaningful and appropriate response to every call received. The coordination of Police, Fire, and EMS services is critical to the mission of the division.