Amid Crisis, Kansas City Police Dispatch Considers TKC Blogging

Currently, Kansas City 911 wait times are the longest they've been in years. 

A lot of the blame has been cast toward the police dispatch infrastructure as dedicated dispatchers cope with staffing troubles and technology issues. 

Recently, our TKC blog community featured insider testimony about the situation that caused a stir and raised important questions.

Now . . . 

CHECK KANSAS CITY POLICE CLAP BACK AGAINST TKC BLOG COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF THE 911 CRISIS!!!

In fairness . . . Here's more inside word send our way . . .

Kansas City Police Dispatch: "There has been numerous conversations about the Tony’s KC article."

While I think everyone would agree, the article was out of context with regard to parts of it, a significant portion of it was factually inaccurate, and it does not reflect the communications unit.  It was hurtful and I would argue it was evil, and the person who wrote it, if they truly feel that way, I encourage them to revisit their choice of professions, because they are truly unhappy and should not have to feel that way coming to work everyday.
 
It was also inappropriate for them to try to make others feel the way they do, which I think was the purpose of the article.  It was not done to help correct any issue, but it was an attempt to bring others down to their level.  Don’t let them.  I do want to remind them that this is a position they chose to be in and they have the choice to decide to change their own situation.  That said, I hope they remain a part of our family but in a way that is positive and I truly believe this could be the start of positive change.
 
I will tell you from my perspective and in speaking with some of you, this did not have the intended results the writer was hoping, this overall was positive.  Instead of pushing you farther apart, it has brought many of you closer together.  I would make the case that morale has increased.  Now, has it increased a lot, no, I am not saying that but with all the negativity this has caused do not ignore the positive it has identified.  You are stronger together.
 
Its clear the huge majority or members within the unit care for each other, there is no question as this situation has clearly identified.  I am aware of multiple internal complaints that have stated this person has caused a hostile work environment within the unit.  Many of you want a formal investigation by either HRD or IAD to determine who was the cause of this and for them to be held accountable for their actions.   If this individual is identified, the policy violations, while I could identify 5 or 6, would probably result in a letter of reprimand, it would not be a terminatable offense, nor should it be without other extenuating factors.
 
Currently there is no evidence that could lead me to the individual who did this.  Many of you have speculation as to who did it, and I will tell you I have heard multiple names.  I say this to caution you that this what the person who wrote this wants, they want to cause dissension.  Don’t let them, don’t give them the satisfaction.  In fact, continue to do what you have been doing and build on the fact that their views are inaccurate.  I know there has been increased conversations with call takers to share with them that this is not how dispatchers feel, continue to foster those relationships and let this be the start of something bigger.  Do not buy into the false narratives like this is why call takers do not want to be dispatchers, this is the perfect opportunity to support them and encourage them to make the transition.  Don’t let the negatively take over, you deal with enough of that already.
 
Everyone knows this is by far the hardest job on the department and I will tell you the 99.8% of the members outside of this unit cannot do what you do daily, and that includes law enforcement.  You should be proud that you have chosen this for a career and do not let anyone change the way you feel.
 
That is how I feel, right or wrong the communications unit suffers from a morale issue that I have never experienced in my professional career.  This is not one person’s fault, it has been allowed to fester for decades.  That is the only way it has gotten to this point we now face.  Make no mistake, no one here is responsible, but moving forward we are all.  If you want this to change, then you must make the effort moving forward to change and I have seen the beginning of that change over the past view weeks.  At first I didn’t want to respond to the article because I didn’t want to give the person the satisfaction, but after seeing how you responded internally, I want to thank that person for writing that article.  It has shown me the true nature of the unit and how the call takers and dispatchers truly feel about each other.  We are a family and a dysfunctional one at that, but this situation has shown me how you really feel and its awesome to observe this.
 
I will be handling the investigation as to who submitted the article.  While the person identified themselves as a dispatcher I want to make sure everyone understands anyone some knowledge about the unit could have submitted that, including members who have separated from the department.
 
Here is how I am going to handle the investigation, I am sending this email to every member of the communications unit.  I am instructing you to submit to me a 191 to me ONLY if you were the person who submitted the information to the media without permission.  
 
Thank you for what you do, it is appreciated.
 
 
Major #### ########
Logistic Support Division
Kansas City, Missouri Police Department
Phone: 816-###-####

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