Las Vegas Police Dispatchers Honored During National Telecommunicators Week

LVMPD Communications Bureau handles nearly 2 million calls annually with 260 employees.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:35pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a 911 emergency call button, the harsh lighting and stark black background creating a gritty, investigative mood that reflects the critical role of dispatchers in public safety.The dedicated dispatchers of the LVMPD Communications Bureau handle nearly 2 million emergency calls each year, serving as the vital link between the public and first responders.Las Vegas Today

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is recognizing the dedicated men and women of its Communications Bureau during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The department's dispatchers handle approximately 5,000 to 6,000 calls per day, processing about 150,000 calls per month and nearly 2 million calls annually.

Why it matters

Dispatchers play a critical role in public safety, providing a calm presence for both the public and officers in the field. Their work is essential in ensuring efficient emergency response and supporting the overall safety of the Las Vegas community.

The details

The LVMPD Communications Bureau employs roughly 260 people, including call takers, dispatchers, trainees and support staff. New employees undergo up to 30 weeks of floor training before becoming independent call takers and then promoting into dispatch positions. Dispatchers are responsible for handling a wide range of calls, from life-threatening emergencies to routine requests.

  • LVMPD is recognizing its dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which takes place annually.
  • Fifteen new recruits graduated last week and are moving into training.

The players

Nicole Callas

A manager in the LVMPD Communications Bureau.

Sergeant Jacob Shallenberger

An LVMPD officer who praised the work of dispatchers in bringing calm to situations.

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What they’re saying

“The folks in the dispatch center with the LVMPD do such a fantastic job at really bringing calm to a lot of situations, not only with the people they talk to over the phone, but with the officers that they interact with over the radio and their dispatchers and really giving us the most updated information so that when we arrive, we can have a cool, calm head when we can know exactly what's going on with the scene.”

— Sergeant Jacob Shallenberger, LVMPD Officer

“It takes a very special person to become a call taker or a dispatcher because it's not the same as the closure that the officers may have when they arrive on a scene. But everyone finds a reason in which they want to do the job.”

— Nicole Callas, Manager, LVMPD Communications Bureau

What’s next

LVMPD is actively recruiting for the Communications Bureau, with more information available on LVMPD.com.

The takeaway

The LVMPD's dedicated team of dispatchers play a vital role in supporting public safety and emergency response in the Las Vegas community. Their calm presence and efficient handling of a high volume of calls is essential for ensuring the safety of both the public and law enforcement officers.