Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    ​Police Communications Operator

    A ​Police Communications Operator (PCO) performs communications activities necessary for providing emergency and non-emergency police services to the general public.

    Overview

    PCO work involves:

    • receiving, prioritizing, and determining the appropriate disposition of incoming calls from the public, PSP staff, and other agencies
    • dispatching State Police Troopers and relaying information over radio, telephone, and computer systems
    • querying, entering, and updating information in electronic record management systems
    • greeting and assisting station visitors
    • answering questions and addressing concerns regarding agency programs, operations, and related services

    Work schedules involve rotating shifts in a 24-hour police dispatching environment.  Work is characterized by fast-paced multitasking between work activities and striving to mitigate stressful situations and emotionally-charged callers. 

    Minimum Experience and Training

    Two years of experience using two-way radio, multi-line telephone, or computer-aided dispatch systems; or two years of experience using computer systems for entering, updating, and retrieving information; or completion of 60 college credits; or an equivalent combination of experience and training.

    Necessary Special Requirement

    • All employees must possess a clear, firm voice and no major speech, hearing, or visual impairments that would interfere with understanding verbal communication, being understood, or using electronic communications equipment and visual display equipment.
    • All employees must obtain an active Public Safety Telecommunicator certification issued by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials within the probationary period and maintain the same for the duration of employment in this job.
    • All employees must obtain active Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) and Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) certifications issued by the Pennsylvania State Police within the probationary period and maintain the same for the duration of employment in this job.

    Individuals may visit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Employment Website at employment.pa.gov to view and apply for job postings of interest. For more information about the Police Communications Operator position, contact ra-spspcivilplcmt@pa.gov.

    The Pennsylvania State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer.