Bakersfield 911 Dispatchers Explain Critical Questions They Ask to Ensure Proper Emergency Response

Dispatchers say rapid-fire questions are designed to pinpoint the crisis and send lifesaving help as soon as possible.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Bakersfield 911 dispatchers are facing scrutiny after a recent viral video accused them of poor behavior on calls. However, dispatchers say the rapid-fire questions they ask are critically designed to pinpoint the crisis and send the right emergency responders as soon as possible. Dispatchers handle close to 80-100 calls per day and must gather key details like location, timing, descriptions, and potential safety hazards to ensure an effective and safe response.

Why it matters

This story highlights the important but often misunderstood role of 911 dispatchers, who are on the front lines of emergency response. While the viral video raised concerns about dispatcher behavior, the Bakersfield Police Department is emphasizing that the questions asked are essential to their ability to respond appropriately and safely to each call.

The details

Bakersfield dispatchers say the most important questions they ask are about the location of the emergency, when it happened, and who is involved. They also ask for details like clothing descriptions and whether there are any weapons present, as this information affects officer safety and response time. In January 2026, Bakersfield Police received over 21,000 911 calls, leading to 1,116 arrests, 185 vehicle thefts, and 162 domestic violence reports.

  • In January 2026, Bakersfield Police received over 21,000 911 calls.

The players

Tamia Smith

Support Services Division Administrator for the Bakersfield Police Department.

Graham Payne

Police Dispatcher II with the Bakersfield Police Department.

Edmond Jackson

Senior Police Officer with the Bakersfield Police Department.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The life of a dispatcher can be hectic. Some of our most important days of our lives, we put aside to come here. For example, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, we've even had an employee come on their wedding day because we needed someone to answer the phone.”

— Tamia Smith, Support Services Division Administrator (turnto23.com)

“Small details that are important to dispatchers could be things outside of the box. Are there any dogs in your backyard? That's important cause our officers need to jump over the fence. We may ask you if the person has any weapons, sometimes we need you to elaborate. If you know there are weapons in the house. We would appreciate if you said "no he doesn't have a weapon in the house, but there are weapons present.”

— Tamia Smith, Support Services Division Administrator (turnto23.com)

“The most important question is where the emergency. Second, we need to know when it happened and who was involved. We will ask various specific questions as far as descriptions and locations. Some small details may include, clothing descriptions. Callers may not realize the importance of this, but it affects officers' safety and response time.”

— Graham Payne, Police Dispatcher II (turnto23.com)

“The questions that the dispatcher asks are very essential to our job. They tell us how we should approach things and what safety precautions we should take when on the scene. We need to know if people are hurt so we can get there in the right amount of time. Those questions help us identify who we should speak to, and if we need to bring ambulance or fire services with us.”

— Edmond Jackson, Senior Police Officer (turnto23.com)

What’s next

The agency questioned in the viral video has not been publicly determined, and the Bakersfield Police Department is asking the community to remember there are real people on the other end of those calls, trained professionals who are here to help. If you want to file a complaint, you can visit the Bakersfield Police Department's website.

The takeaway

This story highlights the critical role 911 dispatchers play in emergency response, and the importance of the rapid-fire questions they ask to ensure the right resources are deployed quickly and safely. While a viral video raised concerns, the Bakersfield Police Department is emphasizing the professionalism and dedication of their dispatchers, who often sacrifice personal time to serve the community.