Communications

In case of a life or death emergency, call 9-1-1 or Text-to-9-1-1

For 24-hour, non-emergency calls, please call (512) 267-7141

The Lago Vista Police Department's Communications Center is an integral and essential part of our communication with the public as well as our response to crimes and incidents within the city. Our Communications Center operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. It is responsible for all telephone, radio, and Public Safety data services provided to the Lago Vista Police Department and is one of the most critical functions in our department. Currently staffed by seven Dispatchers and one Dispatch Supervisor, this division is committed to continuous improvement and excellence in service delivery to our citizens.

Currently undergoing a major renovation project, once complete, the Communications Division will operate in a state-of-the-art Communications Center utilizing an enhanced 911 System, Motorola Multi-Band Radio System, and Computer Aided Dispatch System that interfaces with Mobile Data Terminals assigned to patrol officers in the field.

The men and women who serve as Communication Dispatchers are responsible for maintaining the essential information link between the field's public and law enforcement services. The department receives approximately 27,000 calls per year, approximately 1,400 911 calls per year, and processes over 6,000 calls for service per year.

The Communication Dispatchers typically have the first contact with the citizens, and their decisions can dictate the emergency response. The Communication dispatcher's job is to listen to the information offered by the caller, ask appropriate questions to discover the nature of the call, assess the information quickly, and then decide how to manage the call. All calls that require the Police Department to respond to a location are entered into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and prioritized. The calls are then dispatched by radio or computer to a mobile data terminal (MDT) to the appropriate officer in the field. Public safety dispatchers work weekends and holidays alongside other police personnel to ensure that help is always only a phone call away. 

The Communications Dispatcher position is performed quickly and accurately under supervised situations and requires high computer keyboard efficiency. Dispatchers must be able to multi-task and make effective, immediate decisions regarding life-threatening emergencies and situations based on highly complex rules, regulations, laws, and procedures. Dispatchers work under stressful conditions and are expected to prioritize radio traffic and phone calls as they come in. T. Dispatchers utilize several systems to aid the citizens and police officers, including the Computer Aided-Dispatch System, the National Crime Information Center System, the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, the Texas Crime Information Center System, and much more. Effective 2019, the State of Texas officially classified dispatchers as first responders by passing Bill 1090.

Are you interested in a career as a Dispatcher?  Visit our Recruiting page to learn more!