Answering the Call: 911

Become a Police Communications Operator with PHXPD and Receive a $7,500 Signing Incentive

Phoenix Police Department’s Police Communications Operators are the behind-the-scenes heroes who skillfully handle emergency and non-emergency calls, provide critical guidance, and dispatch police officers with precision and compassion. Their unwavering commitment to public safety and their ability to remain composed under pressure make them the vital link in the chain of emergency response. Discover the pivotal role our 911 operators play in keeping Phoenix safe and learn more about how you can join us in making an impact in our community.

Minimum of one year of public contact, customer service and/or clerical work
Ability to type 40 WPM
Computer knowledge using Windows-based programs
Ability to spell accurately
Ability to sit or stand while on the telephone and using multiple computer monitors for eight to twelve hours per day
Ability to multitask using the telephone and radio
Ability to react under time-sensitive, stressful and critical situations
Ability to accurately follow directions in a fast-paced environment
Work nights, weekends and holidays

Our hiring process is designed to identify individuals committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and service. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Apply online

Visit the City of Phoenix jobs website and search “Police Communications Operator"

Complete the required information and attach, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

If eligible for the position you will be contacted via email to move on to the next step of the hiring process. Be sure to check your junk mail folder as well.

The City job description can be found here.

2. Computer Simulated Test - CritiCall

CritiCall is a computerized simulator software that tests the applicant’s skills and abilities in data entry and multitasking. Applicants will wear headphones and test in areas such as multitasking, prioritization, memory recall, comprehension, data entry, and decision-making. The test takes about 75 minutes to complete.

Free Criticall practice tests can be found here.

3. Panel Interview

4. Background Process

Those who successfully complete CritiCall and the interview will be notified via email when they are to begin the background process with the Phoenix Police Department Employment Services Bureau.

Please consider the following disqualifiers before applying for the position:

Felonies: Conviction of a felony
Misdemeanors: Conviction of a job-related misdemeanor within the last three years
Drug Use: Illegal marijuana use occurring within the last 12 months
Other Illegal drug use occurring within the last five years
Financial: Job-related negative financial history occurring within the last five years
Driving: Job-related negative driving history occurring within the last five years
This is not an all-inclusive list. Other factors (poor driving record, immoral conduct, criminal activity, dishonesty, etc.) will also be assessed and may lead to disqualification. Individuals should consider all of these factors when applying. Exceptions may apply and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis

5. Controlled Substance Screening

Applicants will be required to submit to a urinalysis at some point in the hiring process.

If you have questions regarding the hiring process, please contact 602-534-1301 or email us at [email protected].

Download:
911 Recruitment Brochure

Competitive Salary

Police Communications Operator:

$26.18-$38.68 hourly

$52,360-$77,360 annually

Applicants who have one year of full-time experience as a Police 911 Call Taker and/or Police Radio Operator; After completing probation and if you have not been separated from a police agency for more than 12 months at the time of application, may earn higher pay depending on experience. All applicants without previous full-time experience as an emergency call-taker will start at Step One on our pay scale.

Promotional and Growth Opportunities

After successfully becoming a Cross-trained 9-1-1 Operator and Radio Dispatcher, there may be other areas of advancement that pique your interest, such as:

Becoming one of the bureau’s Certified Training Operators, where you can mentor and guide newer employees through the training program as they learn to process incoming 911 and CrimeStop calls for service or dispatch them to officers.
Supervisor within the bureau.
Lead Training Assistant in the Communications Training Unit, assisting with classroom curriculum, recruiting, and continuous training for the bureau employees.

Communications Records Unit Assistant, assisting the City Prosecutor’s Office and County Attorney’s with audio and transcripts for Discovery purposes; assisting internal and external Detectives in their investigations, and fulfilling special requests submitted by the Citizens of Phoenix.
Radio Network & Encryption Office Lead, where you can service many agencies around the valley with their diverse radio encryption and interoperability needs as one of the primary Public Safety Answering Points.
Shift Manager, overseeing the shift you are assigned to, the Supervisors and employees that work within the call-center or in one of the Administrative Units.

Benefits

Fully-Paid Training
Eligible for college credits
Tuition Reimbursement up to $6,500 per Fiscal Year
Night and Weekend Shift Differential Pay
Medical and Dental Coverage
Life Insurance
City of Phoenix Retirement Plan
Deferred Compensation
Vacation and Sick Leave
Paid Parental Leave
Holiday Pay
Military Leave Time
Uniform Allowance

Rio Salado Community College

The Phoenix Police Department partners with Rio Salado Community College, which provides opportunities to further our employees' professional and academic growth.

Once a new employee successfully completes the Classroom Training/Curriculum with a grade of “C” or better, the employee can receive up to 16 college credits, transferrable to any Maricopa Community College, free of charge, no Tuition Reimbursement Necessary.

Learn more about the Rio Salado College Phoenix Communications Bureau Academy Training Program.

For more information on benefits visit: Unit 003 Benefits

Every 9-1-1 call placed within the City of Phoenix and/or bordering the City of Phoenix is answered by the Phoenix Police Department Communications Bureau. Part of the day-to-day operations consist of:

Process and prioritize incoming 9-1-1 emergent and non-emergent (Crimestop) calls for service as one of the Primary Public Safety Answering Points for the City of Phoenix.
Triage calls when necessary to other agencies such as the Phoenix Fire Department for any medical or fire-related calls, the Department of Public Safety for emergencies occurring on the freeway, bordering police departments, our behavioral or mental health partners withing the Community Assistance Program through the Phoenix Fire Department, and/or Solari Services for access to additional resources or mobile teams.
Dispatch and communicate with patrol officers via radio efficiently.
Translate plain English into radio codes and department common abbreviations and terminology.

Training lasts approximately 37 weeks, or about nine months. It consists of several phases:

911 Training: The initial phase involves three weeks in the classroom focusing on learning how to process and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls.
911 Floor Training: After completing the classroom portion, you'll spend nine weeks working side by side with a Certified Training Operator (CTO) answering calls.
Solo Floor Time: Once you have a passed 911 training, you will spend 5 weeks answering calls on the floor solo.
Radio Training: Following your solo floor time, you'll return to the classroom for an additional two weeks focused on radio training. During this time you will learn how to communicate with officers on the radio and dispatch them calls for service.
Radio Floor Training: Finally, you'll undergo 18 weeks of radio floor training, again paired with a Certified Training Operator. After completing this phase, you will become a fully solo, cross-trained operator.
Attendance is essential for your success during both classroom and field training. In the classroom, you will receive a study packet in advance, which will include daily tests that review the material covered the previous day. It is crucial to study and practice your typing skills throughout your training. The information learned during the 911 training will be relevant to your radio training.

Being comfortable in a team environment will greatly enhance your chances of success. Throughout both the 911 and radio training phases, you will receive Daily Observation notes, ratings, and feedback on your progress.

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Answering the Call: 911

Become a Police Communications Operator with PHXPD and Receive a $7,500 Signing Incentive

1. Apply online

2. Computer Simulated Test - CritiCall

3. Panel Interview

4. Background Process

Please consider the following disqualifiers before applying for the position:

5. Controlled Substance Screening

Competitive Salary

Police Communications Operator:

$26.18-$38.68 hourly

$52,360-$77,360 annually

Promotional and Growth Opportunities

After successfully becoming a Cross-trained 9-1-1 Operator and Radio Dispatcher, there may be other areas of advancement that pique your interest, such as:

Benefits

Rio Salado Community College

Every 9-1-1 call placed within the City of Phoenix and/or bordering the City of Phoenix is answered by the Phoenix Police Department Communications Bureau. Part of the day-to-day operations consist of:

Training lasts approximately 37 weeks, or about nine months. It consists of several phases:

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