Find Out More About Communications Dispatch

The Selection Process

Applying for such a critical position of trust as a Police/Fire Dispatcher requires a diligent examination of the best qualified applicant. Below are the steps that the selected applicant will need to successfully complete in order to be eligible for employment.

Applicant Orientation

The selection process consists of several steps, beginning with applicants attending an orientation session to familiarize themselves with the city, requirements for the position, the application process, and the training that is offered. 

Personal History Statement

Applicants who are selected to participate in the selection process will be scheduled for a skills test and assessment. If you are scheduled to test, you will also be asked to complete a Personal History Statement (PHS) and to bring the completed PHS with them to the testing session. Applicants who are to be considered further for prospective employment will be required to complete the Personal History Statement. The information requested in the Personal History Statement is necessary to continue in the selection process. For use during the background investigation, copies of your Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, Drivers License, Vehicle Insurance, High School and College Transcripts, Marriage License, Divorce Decree, Military Discharge Papers (DD214) and any training or educational certificates will be required. If you do not already have these documents, it is recommended that you begin obtaining them now. Access an online copy of the Personal History Statement. If you are unable to print an on-line copy, hard copies are available in the Human Resources department on the 2nd floor of City Hall.

Tests/Assessments

Once an applicant has attended an orientation session, they will be asked to complete a series of skills tests and assessments. These tests/assessments include:

• A computer based skills test on the CritiCall system which takes approximately one and a half to two hours to complete and consists of several components that test for spelling, map reading, memorization, reasoning skills, typing speed, multitasking ability, and listening skills. The test is scored immediately and results are provided to applicants upon completion.

• A Dispatcher assessment administered through Select, Inc. should take approximately one hour to complete. This assessment measures your strengths and abilities as they relate to this position.

Applicants who fail either portion of the skills test or assessment will be eligible to retest six months from the date of their previous test.

Preliminary Interview

If an applicant successfully passes the skills test and assessment, they will be scheduled to meet with an Investigator from the Internal Affairs within the Allen Police Department. This interview will discuss in more detail the background check process. Applicants may be asked questions pertaining to the information they provided in their Personal History Statements. A preliminary background check will commence at this point in the application process to verify if an individual currently holds any criminal convictions. A detailed description of the items that would disqualify a person from consideration for this position is listed below in the Ineligibility & Disqualifiers List.

Interview with the Oral Board

The Oral Board consists of a panel of five interviewers from selected Divisions and/or Departments. At the Oral Board, you will be asked questions related to your education, previous work experience and skills that you have. Questions will focus on past situations, actions, and outcomes that you have experienced. Situational questions are also included to determine how you would respond to specific situations that you may encounter in this role.

Conditional Job Offer 

The selected candidate will be extended a conditional job offer, based on successful completion of the background investigation, a polygraph (lie detector) test, a psychological evaluation and a drug screen.

Background Investigation

Due to the nature of the position, an extensive background investigation will be conducted on final applicants. Those who are chosen as finalists will have their Personal History Statements reviewed by the Internal Affairs Division of the Allen Police Department for a complete background investigation. You will be asked information related to criminal convictions, reasons for leaving prior positions, drug usage, as well as a complete job history and list of places you previously resided at. This paperwork is required in order to be considered further in the process. The information you provide will be verified during the background investigation.  This background investigation can take anywhere from four to six weeks to complete.

Communication Center Observation

After the background check has been completed and the finalist who has been extended a conditional offer of employment has passed, that individual will be provided an opportunity to visit the Communications Center. The visit will be scheduled and the candidate will be escorted to the center. This visit will allow you to observe the position first-hand and gain an understanding of the real life scenarios our Police/Fire Dispatchers face as well as experience what the work environment is like in the Communication Center.

It is easy to see that due to all the steps involved that the hiring process can take a couple months. Don’t be discouraged, but if you are unable to wait that long to obtain employment, please let us know.