COLUMN: The Thin Golden Line

Submitted photo.

Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown.

You’ve probably heard of the thin blue line and the thin red line that represent law enforcement and firefighters, respectively. You might not be as familiar with the thin golden line – dispatch – that connects the two.

Your Ellis County Sheriff’s Office has an exceptional group of men and women who serve you as telecommunicators while providing 24/7 service. Their work ethic and sense of responsibility toward the community they serve is unparalleled. We recognize it; their peers recognize it; we hope you do, as well.

This past week saw our Communications Division honored once again for its work during a special presentation at the Commissioners Court meeting. Debra Murray was recognized by NCTCOG as this region’s Telecommunicator of the Year, Jeff Shepherd was named a 9-1-1 Professional of the Year and the entire division received an award for handling more TDD/TT (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf and Text Telephone) calls than any other agency in the area (1,600-plus TDD/TT calls were fielded this past year). Recognized as a finalist for Team of the Year honors were Kristie Brewer, Jennifer Pitts and Amy Zapata.

Your Sheriff’s Office’s Communications Division is responsible for answering 9-1-1 calls, non-emergency calls and calls for service while dispatching for our agency, DPS, the game warden, several county agencies, a number of our smaller communities’ police departments and our county’s volunteer fire departments and EMS. They’re also responsible for a significant amount of data entry, including warrants, protective orders, missing persons, stolen vehicles and other stolen items.

What does it take to be a dispatcher? The dispatchers themselves will tell you the primary skill is being able to multi-task. You’ve got to have good listening skills, the ability to read between the lines and, often, a thick skin. The calls range from the mundane to the angry to situations where lives are in immediate danger. As any dispatcher knows, when people call in, they’re typically not having a good day.

At our agency, someone starting out with no experience will undergo at least a six-month training period and is required to obtain their TCOLE basic dispatcher certification. There’s also required training on accessing the different law enforcement databases that has to be completed. We’re proud to point out that our dispatchers go above and beyond what is required and the majority of them have obtained their advanced and master TCOLE certifications. Their dedication to what they do helps keep all of us safe.

As always, the Sheriff’s Office asks that you keep our military and service personnel in our thoughts and prayers. We enjoy all of our rights and freedoms because of their service and safekeeping of our great nation. Y’all have a Blessed Week from your Sheriff’s Office.

Johnny Brown has served as Sheriff of Ellis County since Jan. 1, 2009, and is a graduate of the National Sheriff’s Institute. He has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years and holds a Master’s Peace Officer’s Certificate with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.