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CA POST Dispatcher practice questions

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Question 1Call Taking and Information Gathering

When a 9-1-1 call is answered, which information should the telecommunicator establish first?

  1. The location of the emergency Correct answer.
  2. A description of any suspects
  3. The caller's date of birth
  4. The full name of the person calling

Explanation

Location is established first because every response depends on knowing where to send help, and a disconnected or dying call may yield no second chance to obtain it. Caller identity and suspect details are gathered after the address or location is confirmed.

Question 2Call Taking and Information Gathering

The main purpose of using open-ended questions while taking a call is to:

  1. Shorten the total length of the call
  2. Determine whether the call should be recorded
  3. Let the caller describe the problem in their own words Correct answer.
  4. Confirm the identity of a suspect

Explanation

Open-ended questions invite a narrative and often surface information the telecommunicator would not have thought to ask for. Closed or specific questions are used afterward to fill gaps and pin down details.

Question 3Call Taking and Information Gathering

A 9-1-1 call connects, no one speaks, and the line goes dead. The telecommunicator should:

  1. Attempt to re-contact the number and verify whether an emergency exists Correct answer.
  2. Wait for the caller to call back on their own
  3. Close the call as an accidental dial
  4. Send a text message telling the caller to stop prank calling

Explanation

Silent or abandoned 9-1-1 calls must be treated as possible emergencies until verified, because the caller may be unable to speak due to injury, danger, or a disability. Standard practice is to call back and, when policy requires, send a responder to confirm welfare.

Question 4Call Taking and Information Gathering

Which set of details best completes a broadcast vehicle description?

  1. Driver's license number and insurance carrier
  2. Radio presets and odometer reading
  3. Number of doors and tire brand
  4. Color, year, make, body style and license plate Correct answer.

Explanation

These elements are the standard identifiers responders use to locate a specific vehicle, and they are commonly organized with a memory aid such as color, year, make, body, and additional identifiers including the plate. Other vehicle features are added as time allows.

Question 5Call Taking and Information Gathering

ANI and ALI information displayed on the call-taking screen provides the telecommunicator with:

  1. An automatically assigned priority level for the incident
  2. A recording of previous calls from the same number
  3. The caller's phone number and the location associated with the call Correct answer.
  4. The caller's criminal history and outstanding warrants

Explanation

ANI supplies the calling number and ALI supplies the address or location associated with that number. The information is a starting point that is always verified with the caller when possible.

Question 6Call Taking and Information Gathering

Which of these calls should generally be dispatched ahead of the others?

  1. A parking complaint on a residential street
  2. A request for a copy of a police report
  3. A fight in progress involving a weapon Correct answer.
  4. A bicycle theft reported from last week

Explanation

Calls are prioritized by threat to life and the likelihood that evidence or suspects will be lost while responders wait. A violent crime in progress with a weapon outranks cold reports and quality-of-life complaints.

Question 7Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller reports a two-vehicle collision with no injuries and both vehicles still drivable. The telecommunicator should:

  1. Disconnect the caller and tell them to call back later
  2. Transfer the call immediately without asking any questions
  3. Dispatch a full emergency response before confirming where the collision occurred
  4. Gather the needed information and route the call under agency non-emergency procedures Correct answer.

Explanation

The priority of a call is set by its nature, not by the number the caller dialed, so a non-injury, drivable-vehicle collision is handled according to the agency's non-emergency guidelines. Information is still gathered and the call is documented even when the response is delayed or handled by another unit.

Question 8Call Taking and Information Gathering

On a medical aid call, which two questions most directly shape the response?

  1. What the problem is and whether the patient is conscious and breathing Correct answer.
  2. The patient's insurance and preferred hospital
  3. The patient's pharmacy and personal physician
  4. The caller's age and employer

Explanation

The chief complaint plus the patient's level of consciousness and breathing status determine the urgency and the type of medical response. Billing and preference details are collected later and do not affect dispatch decisions.

Question 9Call Taking and Information Gathering

An emotionally distraught caller is screaming into the phone. Which approach is most effective?

  1. Use a calm, firm tone and ask short, direct questions Correct answer.
  2. Ask broad narrative questions so the caller can vent fully
  3. Place the caller on hold until they calm down
  4. Raise your voice so the caller can hear you over their own screaming

Explanation

A calm, controlled voice and brief, concrete questions help a panicked caller focus on answering one thing at a time. Mirroring the caller's volume or withdrawing from the conversation tends to escalate the loss of control.

Question 10Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller whispers that a domestic disturbance is happening and the suspect is in the next room. The telecommunicator should:

  1. Instruct the caller to hand the phone to the suspect
  2. Hang up and call back in five minutes
  3. Speak loudly so the caller can hear the questions
  4. Use yes-or-no questions and give safety guidance in a low voice Correct answer.

Explanation

When a suspect may overhear the call, open questions can increase the caller's danger, so short yes-or-no questions let the telecommunicator gather facts while the caller stays quiet. Safety guidance is delivered in a voice the caller can hear without being exposed.

Question 11Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller reports hearing a woman screaming from a neighboring apartment but cannot see anything. What is most important to obtain?

  1. The precise address, including the apartment, and whether the caller will stay available Correct answer.
  2. Whether the neighbor has a history of prior complaints
  3. The caller's opinion about what is probably happening
  4. The name of the apartment complex manager

Explanation

Third-party callers often cannot see the incident, so the value of the call rests on an exact location and on the caller remaining reachable to update or confirm details. Speculation and history are secondary to a precise address.

Question 12Call Taking and Information Gathering

A call connects with silence, electronic tones, and gaps of quiet. The telecommunicator should:

  1. Terminate the connection as a system malfunction
  2. Treat it as a possible TDD/TTY call and use text procedures Correct answer.
  3. Wait in silence for a voice to answer
  4. Speak louder and repeat the agency name

Explanation

Tones, clicks, and pauses of silence are cues that a hearing- or speech-impaired caller may be using a text telephone device. The telecommunicator responds through the agency's text or TTY procedure rather than assuming a bad connection.

Question 13Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller speaks only limited English and no one in the center speaks that language. The telecommunicator should:

  1. Ask the caller's child to translate
  2. Use a qualified interpreter through the agency's language line Correct answer.
  3. Ask a neighbor to come to the phone and interpret
  4. Ask the caller to call back with an English speaker

Explanation

Qualified interpreters provide accurate, confidential communication and are the standard resource when a caller and telecommunicator do not share a language. Untrained intermediaries can distort details and compromise confidentiality.

Question 14Call Taking and Information Gathering

When obtaining a suspect description, the recommended practice is to:

  1. Begin with the most noticeable features and work head to toe Correct answer.
  2. Wait until a witness can come to the station to give it in person
  3. Collect clothing only, since clothing is easiest to change
  4. Ask only for the suspect's name

Explanation

A structured head-to-toe sequence, starting with the most distinctive features, produces a complete and broadcastable description and reduces the chance that key details are omitted. Clothing is included but is not the sole element.

Question 15Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller reporting a crime refuses to give a name or callback number. The telecommunicator should:

  1. Refuse to take the report without identification
  2. Disconnect and flag the number as a nuisance caller
  3. Insist on the information before continuing the interview
  4. Continue gathering emergency information and try again later in the call Correct answer.

Explanation

The safety of the public and responders comes before administrative details, so the telecommunicator keeps the call moving and revisits the identification request once rapport or calm has improved. Anonymous reports are documented with what is available.

Question 16Call Taking and Information Gathering

During a call from a person inside a building where an active shooter is reported, the telecommunicator's priorities include:

  1. Transferring the caller to the investigating unit
  2. Establishing the caller's relationship to the suspect
  3. Determining the shooter count, weapons, and the caller's exact location Correct answer.
  4. Reconstructing the building's floor plan from memory

Explanation

For active shooter calls, the information that drives the tactical response is the number of attackers, their weapons, and where the caller and the threat are located. The caller is kept on the line when possible while details flow to responders.

Question 17Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller hiding from an intruder is whispering and afraid to talk. The best practice is to:

  1. Have the caller immediately describe the intruder in detail
  2. End the call so the phone does not ring
  3. Instruct the caller to speak up so the recording is clear
  4. Keep the line open and ask whispered yes-or-no questions Correct answer.

Explanation

Keeping the line open preserves a live source of information and lets the telecommunicator reassure and update the caller. Yes-or-no questions minimize the sound the caller must make and reduce the risk of discovery.

Question 18Call Taking and Information Gathering

Regarding wireless 9-1-1 location information, the telecommunicator should remember that it:

  1. Is an estimate that must be confirmed by asking the caller Correct answer.
  2. Is unavailable for modern cellular phones
  3. Always includes the exact apartment or unit number
  4. Eliminates the need to ask the caller for an address

Explanation

Wireless location data is an approximation that can be affected by signal conditions, buildings, and network limits. The telecommunicator always verbally confirms the location and refines it with landmarks, cross streets, or unit numbers.

Question 19Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller needs emergency medical help, but agency protocol requires that the call be transferred to the fire or EMS dispatch center. The telecommunicator should:

  1. Gather the essential information first, then complete a warm transfer Correct answer.
  2. Tell the caller to hang up and call the ambulance service directly
  3. Refuse the transfer because the call arrived on 9-1-1
  4. Transfer immediately without asking questions

Explanation

Gathering the address, callback number, and nature of the medical problem before transferring ensures the receiving center can act immediately and that information is not lost if the transfer fails. A warm transfer keeps the caller and the information connected between centers.

Question 20Call Taking and Information Gathering

After recording a callback number from a caller, the telecommunicator should:

  1. Record it only if the caller volunteers it without being asked
  2. Ask the caller to send the number by text instead
  3. Assume it is correct if the caller spoke clearly
  4. Read the number back to the caller and confirm it is correct Correct answer.

Explanation

Reading the number back catches transposition and digit errors that would break contact if the call drops. Verification is routine on every call in which a callback number is captured.

Question 21Call Taking and Information Gathering

Two calls arrive at once: one reports 'unknown trouble' with a woman screaming in the background, and one reports graffiti painted the previous night. How should they be prioritized?

  1. The screaming call, because it suggests danger in progress Correct answer.
  2. Both should be held until additional units become available
  3. Neither should be assigned until a supervisor sets priority
  4. The graffiti call, because property crimes need prompt documentation

Explanation

Priority is based on threat to life and whether the incident is unfolding now. Screaming in the background of an unknown-trouble call indicates possible immediate danger, which outranks a cold property crime.

Question 22Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller states that a bomb will detonate at a school in thirty minutes. Which action is most important for the telecommunicator?

  1. Broadcast the threat over the main radio channel right away
  2. Keep the caller on the line and capture the exact words and details of the threat Correct answer.
  3. End the call quickly so officers can be dispatched
  4. Ask the caller to repeat the threat to a supervisor

Explanation

Threat calls are a primary source of investigative and protective information, so the telecommunicator keeps the caller talking and records exact wording, times, and background sounds. Notification of responders proceeds through the agency's established process rather than by breaking into the main channel.

Question 23Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller states they are holding a gun and intend to kill themselves. The telecommunicator should:

  1. Transfer the caller to a crisis line and disconnect
  2. Tell the caller to put the gun down before any further conversation
  3. Place the caller on hold while units are dispatched
  4. Keep the caller talking, confirm the location and weapon, and dispatch help Correct answer.

Explanation

Maintaining conversation supports the caller's safety while the location and the presence of a weapon are confirmed for responding units. Crisis resources are engaged in coordination with the field response rather than as a replacement for it.

Question 24Call Taking and Information Gathering

A 9-1-1 call arrives from a VoIP or vehicle telematics device and no usable location appears on the screen. The telecommunicator should:

  1. Wait for the location to populate on the ANI/ALI display
  2. Dispatch units to the geographic center of the jurisdiction
  3. Treat the call as a malfunction and clear it
  4. Work with the caller or provider to obtain a registered or reported location Correct answer.

Explanation

VoIP and telematics devices may not deliver accurate location data, so the telecommunicator must actively obtain it through the caller or the service provider's registered information. Passive waiting or guessing produces unusable responses.

Question 25Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller reporting a burglary in progress says they must hang up because they are afraid. The telecommunicator should:

  1. Refuse to end the call until a complete report has been taken
  2. Instruct the caller to confront the suspect and describe them from up close
  3. Rapidly obtain suspect descriptions and direction of travel before the line is lost Correct answer.
  4. Hang up first so the caller's phone does not give them away

Explanation

When a caller may disconnect, the telecommunicator prioritizes the perishable facts that responders need: descriptions, direction of travel, and the caller's location. Pushing for a full report risks losing the connection with nothing useful recorded.

Question 26Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller reports that 'something is wrong at my neighbor's house.' What is the best first question for the telecommunicator to ask?

  1. What is happening there right now? Correct answer.
  2. Have you called about this address before tonight?
  3. Would your neighbor want police to respond?
  4. Do you know your neighbor's full name and date of birth?

Explanation

The first job on any call is to establish what is actually occurring so the call can be classified and prioritized. An open-ended question about the current situation lets the caller describe the problem in their own words before the telecommunicator narrows in with specific questions. Identifying details and history matter later, not first.

Question 27Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller gives the address '445 Oak Avenue' with no city and no apartment number. The telecommunicator should:

  1. send units to Oak Avenue in the primary jurisdiction
  2. confirm the city and the apartment number Correct answer.
  3. ask the caller to text the full address to 9-1-1
  4. assume the city from the cell tower data

Explanation

An address is only useful to responders when it is complete and verified, so the telecommunicator must lock down the city and any unit, building, or space designator. Assumptions about jurisdiction or apartment number can send units to the wrong place or delay them at the door. Confirming with the caller is quick and removes the guesswork.

Question 28Call Taking and Information Gathering

On a report of a fight in progress, which question is most important for officer safety?

  1. Are you willing to sign a complaint?
  2. How many people live at that address?
  3. What is your relationship to the parties?
  4. Are any weapons involved? Correct answer.

Explanation

Weapons information directly changes how responding officers approach and how many resources are sent, so it is gathered early on any violent call. Complaint status, occupancy, and relationships are relevant for the report but do not drive tactical planning the way a weapon does.

Question 29Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller spells a license plate over the phone. The best way to verify it is to:

  1. ask the caller to spell it a second time exactly as before
  2. rely on the recording and skip verification
  3. read it back using the phonetic alphabet Correct answer.
  4. repeat it back as a whole word without spelling it

Explanation

Similar-sounding letters such as B, D, P, and T are easily confused on a phone line, and the phonetic alphabet removes that ambiguity. Reading the plate back in phonetic form lets the caller catch and correct an error immediately. Simply hearing the letters again does not resolve sound-alike mistakes.

Question 30Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller reaches 9-1-1 through a telecommunications relay service, and a relay operator begins voicing the call. The telecommunicator should:

  1. speak directly to the caller and say 'go ahead' Correct answer.
  2. end the call and wait for the caller to dial directly
  3. ask the relay operator to answer the questions on the caller's behalf
  4. route the call to a supervisor for interpretation

Explanation

Relay calls work best when the telecommunicator addresses the person with the emergency and cues the operator to pass the message along. The relay operator transmits, but does not know the answers, so questions must be directed to the caller. Direct conversation also keeps the pacing natural.

Question 31Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller says her friend just sent a text saying he swallowed a bottle of pills. The two facts the telecommunicator must establish first are:

  1. the caller's full name and date of birth
  2. whether the friend has taken pills before
  3. the friend's exact location and current condition Correct answer.
  4. the friend's insurance provider and pharmacy

Explanation

On a third-party medical report, responders cannot act until they know where to go and what they will find. Location and condition determine both the destination of the response and its urgency. Everything else can be collected afterward.

Question 32Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller reports that a storage unit was burglarized sometime last week. Which question most affects how quickly units respond?

  1. How long have you rented that unit?
  2. Do you have receipts for the items taken?
  3. Is the storage facility gated?
  4. Is anyone there now, or was a suspect seen leaving? Correct answer.

Explanation

Response priority turns on whether the crime is still in progress or the suspect is still nearby. A cold report from last week is handled very differently from a suspect seen leaving moments ago. The remaining questions are report details that can be gathered after priority is set.

Question 33Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller reports that a suspect vehicle just left the scene. The telecommunicator should obtain:

  1. the suspect's social media accounts
  2. the plate, description, and direction of travel Correct answer.
  3. the number of previous owners of the vehicle
  4. the vehicle's registration expiration date

Explanation

A vehicle is only useful to responding officers if they know what it looks like, what identifies it, and where it went. Plate and description allow units to locate it, while direction of travel supports an intercept. Other registration data can be researched by the responding officer once the vehicle is identified.

Question 34Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller reports a strong smell of gas inside the house. After confirming the address, the telecommunicator should:

  1. tell the caller to unplug appliances before hanging up
  2. ask the caller to open windows and wait inside
  3. tell the caller to get everyone out of the house Correct answer.
  4. instruct the caller to search for the source of the leak

Explanation

A gas leak can ignite or overcome occupants at any moment, so the priority instruction is to move everyone outside and away from the structure. The caller should then stay reachable from a safe distance so responders can find them. Investigating or staying inside exposes the caller to an unnecessary risk.

Question 35Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller dials 9-1-1 to ask for the police department's non-emergency phone number. The telecommunicator should:

  1. confirm there is no emergency, then provide the number Correct answer.
  2. tell the caller that misuse of 9-1-1 is a crime
  3. end the call and rely on the call detail record
  4. transfer the caller to the front desk without further questions

Explanation

Even a routine-sounding call must be screened to make sure no emergency is hiding behind the request. Once the telecommunicator is satisfied that nothing is happening, providing the business number resolves the call courteously. Ending the call or lecturing the caller risks missing a real emergency.

Question 36Call Taking and Information Gathering

A child calls 9-1-1 and says, 'Mommy is asleep and won't wake up.' The telecommunicator should:

  1. keep the child on the line and obtain the address and condition Correct answer.
  2. tell the child to hang up and find an adult
  3. wait quietly for an adult to come to the phone
  4. transfer the call to a pediatric nurse advice line

Explanation

A child can often supply the address and describe what the parent looks like if the telecommunicator stays calm and asks simple questions. Keeping the child on the line also keeps the line connected for responders and prevents the child from being alone. Transferring or hanging up discards the only source of information available.

Question 37Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller is driving while reporting a reckless driver ahead of them. The telecommunicator should first:

  1. ask the caller to read the entire vehicle registration
  2. tell the caller to pull over or use hands-free before continuing Correct answer.
  3. request that the caller send a photo of the vehicle
  4. tell the caller to follow the vehicle until officers arrive

Explanation

A caller who is distracted by a phone while driving is a second hazard in the making, so the first instruction addresses the caller's own safety. Once the caller is stopped or hands-free, the description and direction of travel can be gathered. Encouraging pursuit puts the caller at risk.

Question 38Call Taking and Information Gathering

A person in a dangerous situation sends a text to 9-1-1 instead of calling. The telecommunicator should:

  1. treat the text as a prank until it is verified by voice
  2. text back asking the person to call once it is safe
  3. reply with a short question confirming the location and emergency Correct answer.
  4. wait for a second text before starting the call record

Explanation

Text-to-9-1-1 exists for situations where speaking is unsafe or impossible, so the telecommunicator replies in text and gathers the essentials in short messages. A text does not include reliable location or voice cues, which makes confirming the address especially important. Demanding a voice call defeats the reason the person chose to text.

Question 39Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller reports an in-progress assault at an address that belongs to a neighboring agency's jurisdiction. The telecommunicator should:

  1. advise the caller to hang up and dial the other agency directly
  2. take the essential details and notify the agency with jurisdiction Correct answer.
  3. transfer the call immediately without gathering any details
  4. dispatch local units because the call arrived on this radio channel

Explanation

Responsibility for the response belongs to the agency with jurisdiction, but that agency still needs location, nature, weapons, and injury information. Gathering the details first means the transfer hands off a usable call rather than an untested one. Telling the caller to start over wastes critical minutes in an in-progress assault.

Question 40Call Taking and Information Gathering

A caller describing an in-progress violent crime keeps drifting into a long emotional narrative. The telecommunicator should:

  1. ask the caller to write the account down and read it back later
  2. gather location, weapons, and injuries, then pass them on Correct answer.
  3. walk the caller through the full checklist in strict order
  4. let the caller finish without interruption to preserve the account

Explanation

When violence is ongoing, responders need a few critical facts immediately rather than a complete statement. Location, weapons, and injuries are the elements that shape the response, so they are drawn out first while the narrative is guided along. The full account can be completed once the immediate danger has been addressed.

Question 41Radio Dispatching and Resource Allocation

According to California POST and NIMS communications guidance, which practice is preferred when transmitting over public safety radio?

  1. Agency-specific ten-codes that vary by region
  2. Plain language that all responding agencies can understand Correct answer.
  3. Abbreviated codes used only by the dispatcher's own center
  4. Signals whose meaning changes with each shift

Explanation

NIMS and California POST communications guidance calls for common terminology, meaning plain language (clear text), so that responders from different agencies and disciplines understand each other during multi-agency incidents. Ten-codes and local signals vary between agencies and can cause dangerous misunderstandings. Dispatchers should use standard, universally understood wording whenever practical.

Question 42Radio Dispatching and Resource Allocation

When a dispatcher changes a field unit's status to 'out of service,' what does that status indicate?

  1. The unit is en route to a call
  2. The unit is available for assignment
  3. The unit cannot accept a new assignment Correct answer.
  4. The unit has arrived on the scene

Explanation

Out-of-service status removes a unit from the pool of resources the dispatcher may assign. Units go out of service for meals, court, vehicle problems, report writing, or administrative duties. The dispatcher must track this status so that coverage in the beat is not mistakenly assumed.

Question 43Radio Dispatching and Resource Allocation

When spelling a name over the radio using the standard phonetic alphabet, which word represents the letter 'M'?

  1. Metro
  2. Mike Correct answer.
  3. Mary
  4. Nancy

Explanation

The standard phonetic alphabet assigns 'Mike' to the letter M. Using the standard word list prevents confusion between letters that sound alike, such as M and N. Dispatchers and field units should use the same list so names, license plates, and license numbers are copied accurately.

Question 44Radio Dispatching and Resource Allocation

Which element is essential when broadcasting a BOLO (be on the lookout) over the radio?

  1. The dispatcher's own assessment of how serious the incident is
  2. The home address and phone number of the requesting officer
  3. The reporting party's personal opinion about the suspect
  4. A description of the person or vehicle and the reason for the alert Correct answer.

Explanation

A usable BOLO gives officers the descriptive information they need to recognize the person or vehicle, plus the reason for the alert so they know how to act on it. Descriptions should include identifiers such as clothing, height, vehicle make, model, color, and plate when known. Personal opinions and dispatcher speculation do not belong in a broadcast.

Question 45Radio Dispatching and Resource Allocation

When a unit transmits 'emergency traffic' over a radio channel, what should other units on that channel do?

  1. Ask the dispatcher to repeat the transmission before taking any action
  2. Clear the channel and hold transmissions until the emergency is handled Correct answer.
  3. Continue normal traffic and let the emergency unit wait its turn
  4. Switch to another channel and ignore the emergency transmission entirely

Explanation

Emergency traffic signals that a responder has an immediate, life-safety need for the channel. All other units should stop transmitting and monitor so the emergency can be heard and answered without interruption. Normal traffic resumes only after the dispatcher or the involved unit releases the channel.

Question 46Radio Dispatching and Resource Allocation

What is the primary purpose of documenting radio traffic in the dispatch log?

  1. To provide an entertaining narrative for dispatchers during slow shifts
  2. A replacement for the computer-aided dispatch record
  3. A way to track dispatcher meal breaks
  4. A time-stamped record of the incident for later review Correct answer.

Explanation

The radio log is an official, time-stamped record of what was broadcast, when, and by whom. It supports incident reconstruction, supervision, and later legal or administrative review. It supplements rather than replaces the CAD record and other agency documentation.

Question 47Radio Dispatching and Resource Allocation

When an officer requests a backup unit over the radio, what should the dispatcher do first?

  1. Wait for the officer to call again before taking any action
  2. Notify the media before any unit is dispatched
  3. Send the farthest available unit so it can get more driving time
  4. Acknowledge the request and assign the nearest appropriate available unit Correct answer.

Explanation

A backup request is an officer-safety signal that requires prompt acknowledgment and action. The dispatcher should confirm the request, clarify the reason if needed, and assign the closest suitable available unit. Delaying the response or sending an unsuitable unit increases risk to the requesting officer.

Question 48Radio Dispatching and Resource Allocation

Which of the following calls should generally receive the highest dispatch priority?

  1. A cold report of a theft that occurred last week
  2. A parking complaint in a residential area
  3. A noise disturbance at an apartment complex
  4. An in-progress violent crime with a weapon Correct answer.

Explanation

Priority is driven by threat to life and the likelihood that a rapid response can prevent harm or catch a suspect. In-progress violent crimes involving weapons rank at the top because lives may be at immediate risk. Cold reports, parking issues, and noise complaints are lower priorities that can wait for available units.

Question 49Radio Dispatching and Resource Allocation

During heavy radio traffic, a unit with emergency traffic and a unit requesting a routine records check both call at the same time. How should the dispatcher handle the transmissions?

  1. Handle the records check first because it takes less time
  2. Ignore both transmissions until the channel is quiet
  3. Ask both units to call back later on another channel
  4. Handle the emergency traffic first, then the routine request Correct answer.

Explanation

Emergency traffic takes precedence over routine business on any channel. The dispatcher should acknowledge the emergency unit, clear the channel, and resolve the life-safety matter before returning to the records request. Routine requests can be handled afterward or referred to another resource.

Question 50Radio Dispatching and Resource Allocation

A call comes in for a medical emergency. CAD shows three available units: Unit A is 2 minutes away and has two officers; Unit B is 4 minutes away and has one officer; Unit C is 6 minutes away. Which unit should generally be dispatched first?

  1. Hold all units until a supervisor arrives on scene
  2. Unit A because it arrives fastest and has two officers Correct answer.
  3. Unit B because it is a single-officer unit
  4. Unit C because it is farthest away and has more travel time

Explanation

Resource allocation for a life-safety call favors the closest appropriate unit that can render the needed service. Unit A offers both the shortest response time and two officers for scene safety and assistance. A supervisor is not required before basic medical response is dispatched.