COIIs have their "favorite" channels, although they're expected to rotate back and forth between the
Green and the Black Radios, in addition to working the Service Desks, too. We don't have the luxury
of having call-takers as a separate position at this Center. Dispatchers work phones AND radios -- not just one
or the other.
You'll notice there isn't anyone sitting down at the Black Radio in this picture; the COII is up removing something from the
printer, or possibly leaning out the back door of the Radio Room to call something out to an officer getting ready to leave the
Office. (Parking for the patrol units is directly out our back door.)
The dispatchers often simul-cast their partner's channel for short periods of time,
when someone needs to move away from their console. This is accomplished through mutual arrangement; no
radio position is left without someone monitoring it at all times.
The phone system is set up to pick the first available, last busy service desk phone, then move to the
next available service desk if there is anyone signed on to the phone and if not,
will then deliver the next call to the phone at a radio position.
Our staffing level is such that telephone calls often "roll over" to the Radios; it's often too busy
for one or two people to handle all the phone calls at the service desks.
This COII is a trainee; she's got her maps spread out on the console next to her for easy reference. She's got
to know which Radio she has to route a dispatch card....
You'll notice she's wearing a head-set to answer the phone.