County Seeks Dispatch Employees

One of the first vital factors for the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office to respond to crimes or emergency situations is having quality dispatchers receiving the calls.

Right now, the sheriff’s office is struggling to fill those critical positions.

At fully staff, the office has 10 dispatchers. Currently, there are four open dispatching spots.

“We can’t seem to keep them,” Roosevelt County Sheriff Jason Frederick said.

Pay was a problem when dispatchers got paid $14.17 an hour until a pay scale was developed a few years ago. Now, pay for an individual without experience is $18.47.

“We’re competitive with everybody else, but we have benefits,” Frederick said.

Those benefits include full health insurance including vision and dental. Plus, employees earn paid vacations.

The 12-hour shifts run from 10 to 10. Dispatchers work three 12-hour shifts and one four-hour shift per week. They get every other weekend off.

“It’s a chance to get your foot in the door for law enforcement,” Frederick said. “There’s no physical labor.”

Plus, there’s another benefit. “If you want to help your community, here’s your chance,” Frederick added.