Introductory chapters consider the police subculture; police organizations; law pertinent to dispatchers; and general information for dispatchers in such areas as punctuality, appearance, sleeping, off-duty employment, verbalization, stress, confidentiality, and resources. Suggested philosophies for dispatchers focus on phone answering; relationships with officers, reporters, support people, and other dispatchers; and sexual harassment. Telephone procedures encompass such topics as general telephone techniques, emergency lines, phone resources, recording systems, and tracing telephone calls. Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations are reviewed, followed by detailed descriptions of dispatcher radio procedures. Radio procedures for supervisors are also discussed. A discussion of personal computers for dispatchers precedes a review of computer-aided dispatch systems. The concluding chapter presents a step-by-step procedure for addressing major damage to or overloads upon the dispatch system or police facilities. Appended supplementary information and 30-item reading list.