Create a 6 page essay paper that discusses Call Handler Training Programmes: Is Modular the Answer.Every call is entered into a computer and is passed on to the dispatch team who make police assignmen

Create a 6 page essay paper that discusses Call Handler Training Programmes: Is Modular the Answer.

Every call is entered into a computer and is passed on to the dispatch team who make police assignments. Each call handler takes anywhere from 10 to 80 calls a day. One problem, this call handler mentioned was with the public tying up the emergency line with non-emergency issues. She suggested a similar number for non-emergencies, but this could be worse if people are confused about which line is emergency and which line is non-emergency.

PAD System in Scotland

Scotland has developed a modular approach to training call handlers through a Call Centre which is called a Public Assistance Desk (PAD) and is a system that offers specific information for specific areas based on overall computer input. It was introduced by Lothian and Border Police and it has served to divert non-emergency calls within one Police Division by cutting back on incident reports and freeing officers to handle more frontline duties (Feedback 2001. Fife Constabulary 2005). Another modular approach is the Central Police Training and Development Authority, known as Centrex, established to improve policing with priorities emerging from the National Policing Plan. Centrex is a fairly new plan that continues to be studied in England and Wales.

Exploring Options

Is the 5-week course the most efficient method of training, or would a longer course that offers a broader view of police matters by utilising a modular approach be a better choice A recent HMIC report noted that call handlers are too often judged by the time they take to answer and allocate a call which can result in insufficient information gathering and the wrong priorities (Police Federation 2005, 2006).