We are told that 911 dispatchers and call-takers are extremely tired and stressed to the max due to being forced to stay over for an additional 4 hours after already working their own 12 hour shift. “Holdover”, is a mandatory policy at this agency, employees have no choice but to stay over if ordered, no matter how tired and exhausted they may be.
As a result, the use of sick and other types of leave has exploded with many members out for extended periods of time on what is called a FEMLA package. And the amount of money paid in Overtime by this agency, due to staffing shortages, is off the charts as well.
In conclusion, it is obvious that something needs to be done at this agency. In our estimation, major changes need to be made starting from the top down. Many people have been hired to fill high paid management, emergency call-taking and dispatch positions who are described as having little to no experience and not adequately qualified to effectively due the job. We’re told that some of these managers have no clue of how to run an agency of this magnitude and importance. As the mayor likes to say in news interviews about crime…
“This is unacceptable.”
Dateline: Washington, D.C. 