Police Dispatcher; Lateral​/Experienced

City of La Mesa - "The Jewel of the Hills" Announces An Exceptional Career Opportunity POLICE DISPATCHER

Future Scheduled Salary Increases:

3.0% increase effective July 1, 2026

Educational incentive Pay:

Based on 5% of Step E of the Police Dispatcher pay range for a BASIC P.O.S.T. Certificate

Dispatcher Training Pay:

Any Police Dispatcher who is assigned as a "Training Officer" will receive an additional 5% in salary during the time he/she continues in the training assignment for increments of one (1) hour or more.

Up to $15,000 Hiring Incentive Bonus for LATERAL candidates available!

• $2,000 - Completion of hiring process
• $3,000 - Successful completion of the LMPD Field Training Program
• $5,000 - 2 years of service with successful performance & possession of Basic P.O.S.T. Certification at time of hire
• $10,000 - 2 years of service with successful performance & possession of Intermediate or Advanced P.O.S.T. Certification at time of hire

The La Mesa Police Department seeks your interest in a unique career opportunity as a Police Dispatcher. A Police Dispatcher is responsible for all incoming telephone calls to the Police Department, including 9-1-1 calls; handling the Police Radio; and documenting all activities in a computer-aided dispatch program while operating multiple computer systems.

The ideal candidate has the following characteristics and skills:

• Exceptional multi-tasking ability
• Strong decision-making ability in a high stress environment
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness
• A team-player mentality and perspective; adaptable, dependable, and highly productive
• Emotional maturity, patience and a positive attitude
• Shows initiative and professional assertiveness
• A heart to serve the public in a highly rewarding, unique career
• Thrives in a fast-paced, intellectually challenging environment
• Capable of handling the unexpected in a competent manner.

The La Mesa Police Department maintains the highest commitment to the community through service, honor, integrity and professionalism. If you are ready to join our tradition of excellence, we welcome your interest - APPLY TODAY!

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police or other emergency service; determine nature, location and priority of calls and dispatch units accordingly; transfer calls to appropriate agency in accordance with established procedures.
• Obtain and dispatch other support services including helicopter support, tactical teams, bomb squad, canine, public works, fire department, medical response, highway patrol and border patrol.
• Maintain contact with all units on assignment through computer aided dispatch; maintain status and location of police field units; maintain computer records of traffic stops and other officer-initiated activity.
• Operate a variety of public safety communications equipment including a multi-channel radio, 911 emergency telephone equipment, computer aided dispatch systems, instant recall recorders, and paging and intercom systems. Type minimum of 40 nwpm.
• Operate computer terminals and teletype machine to enter, modify, and retrieve data such as stolen and recovered property, towed and stolen vehicles, missing and unidentified persons, citations, field interviews, driver license and vehicle registration information, and warrants on wanted persons; compose and transmit messages to other agencies.
• Retrieve information from State and National computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, restraining orders, criminal histories, parolees and other related information; relay information to officers in the field.
• Perform minor routine maintenance on department equipment including dispatch and general office machines; request service and repairs as necessary.
• Perform related duties as required.

Any combination of education and experience that would…