Communications Division
Emergencies dial 911
Non Emergency: (409) 765-3702
Emergency Communications Division
The Emergency Communications Division (ECD) is an essential service and support unit of the Galveston Police Department. The division is responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency calls for service. Based on internal strategies and service response plans, ECD effectively responds to a full range of emergency and non-emergency services in a timely manner. Calls for service are received by way of the Enhanced 9-1-1 system (which identifies the physical location and telephone number of the caller, except for cellular callers) or our non-emergency reporting system (409-765-3702).
Before a police unit arrives, an ambulance is dispatched, or any type of police service is rendered, a specially trained civilian call-taker will talk to the caller, obtain vital response information, evaluate the type of service required, and assign a dispatch priority to the incident.
After the call-taker has collected information essential to responding to the crime, the call for service is electronically forwarded to a civilian radio dispatcher. The city of Galveston is divided into 6 radio dispatch positions. A radio dispatcher may be responsible for a few as 5 officers to as many as 25 officers, depending on the position and area to which they are assigned. To perform their job, radio dispatchers use an array of state-of-the-art public safety information and communications, command and control systems. These systems include the following:
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System
The main command and control component, the CAD system assists the radio dispatcher in managing pending calls for service, monitoring status and location of active field personnel, dispatching officers on emergency and non-emergency calls, updating field officer status, and responding effectively to dynamic field conditions.
Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) System
A digital communications system that supports the dispatch and communications needs of the field officer and the radio dispatcher. The in-vehicle computer allows the officer to receive dispatch assignments, monitor calls pending in his or her service area, inquire on local, state and national databases (persons, vehicles, articles, etc) and communicate among and between each other, their supervisors and the radio dispatcher.
Digital Identification System (DIS)
Identifies the unit transmitting on one of the police department's FCC licensed radio channels. Allows rapid identification of officers in distress, as well as enhances radio discipline on our public safety frequencies.
The division has a current staff of approximately 10 civilian and sworn personnel. Civilian personnel account for nearly 99% of the staff. The division operates one main control center .
The introduction and integration of high technology public safety systems, together with the public safety communications personnel, have position the Galveston Police Department as a leader and an innovator in the field of emergency communications and patrol operations.
