Dispatch Priming
Incorrect information provided to officers can cause them to make tragic shooting errors. Learn how you can control dispatch priming.
Dispatch Priming
Incorrect information provided to officers can cause them to make tragic shooting errors. Learn how you can control dispatch priming.
Dispatch Priming
(8 Hours)
Need certification for your state?
An intensive 8-hour course for public safety dispatchers.
Get an in-depth look into dispatch priming and the complex cognitive processes affecting dispatchers and call takers.
Researchers have only recently begun to study the complex phenomenon of dispatch priming. There isn’t a universally accepted definition. Dispatch priming includes how dispatchers present information to an officer and how that influences how the officer thinks about and responds to a call for service. Said differently, the delivery, tone, and experience of a dispatcher can influence first responder behavior.
This course provides call takers and dispatchers with tools to avoid complacency and bias and thereby help officers in the field make good decisions. Join us for an in-depth look into dispatch priming and the complex cognitive processes affecting dispatchers and call takers.
In this course, you will:
- Learn what you can control and what you can’t
- Examine the positive and negative aspects of bias and heuristics
- Learn about the science of decision-making & the psychology of communication
Upcoming Presentations:
Your Instructor:
Kristy Dorton is an active-duty Public Safety Dispatcher II and Communications Training Officer with the Sacramento Police Department. She is also a California POST Master Instructor. Kristy has studied the complexities of dispatch priming and designed this course to help fellow dispatchers understand the positive and negative aspects of priming. More about Kristy
Students are saying:
“My favorite part was learning how priming isn’t always a bad thing. This class need to be standard for all dispatchers!”
— Lead Dispatcher J. Vitale, Antioch PD (CA)
“I thought this was a course about what dispatchers do wrong but its not. It’s about how important our job is and getting back to basics.”
— Dispatcher Ashley D., Brentwood PD (CA)
"Before this class I was wondering if I myself prime officers. This class gave good examples and taught me that priming can be positive. I’m excited to get back to work with these new tools.”
— Dispatcher S. Arvicio , Pima County SO (AZ)
“Attend this course. You will walk away with helpful info and the instructor was great.”
— Dispatcher S. Evoniuk, Brentwood PD (CA)
“Before this course I wasn’t confident in how to provide training in priming to my center. I feel more confident after attending and highly recommend this course.”
— Dispatcher P. Lopez, Newark PD (CA)
“After taking this class, I have tools to go back and brief my staff about what they can do to prevent the negative outcomes of priming.”
— Communications Manager Roy Stanifer, Maricopa PD (AZ)
“I thought the class would be finger pointing at dispatchers but instead it proved that there is only so much we can do. My favorite part were the group discussions and being able to talk through the issues we face.”
— Dispatcher A. Cannon, Brentwood PD (CA)