Subject
title
Proclamation Declaring April 12-18, 2026, As National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Rockville, Maryland
end
Department
Police
Recommendation
Staff recommend that the Mayor and Council read, approve, and present proclamation to Karl Nadler and Victoria Leoncini, City of Rockville Police Communications Operators.
Discussion
The week of April 12-18, 2026, is recognized as “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week,” also known as Recognition for 911 and Police Communication Dispatchers. Nationally, this week-long event honors telecommunications personnel in the public safety community.
The week recognizes professionals in the law enforcement area who don’t often get recognition or appreciation, as much of their work is done quietly behind the scenes. They are often forgotten until a time of need in an emergency.
Utilizing telephones, cell phones, radio systems, and computer systems, dispatchers provide a crucial link between law enforcement, EMS, Fire professionals, and citizens daily. The Rockville City Police Department utilizes seven dispatchers who cover the Communications Center 24-hours a day, seven days a week, answering all calls for service within the City of Rockville. The Communications Center works closely with other City departments, including Public Works, the Water Treatment Plant, various City facilities, as well as the Montgomery County Police Department, Montgomery County Animal Control, and the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department.
The Rockville City Police Department's Police Communications Center received approximately 66,661 calls during the time period January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
The categories of calls received are:
• Emergency and Non-Emergency Calls: Citizens reporting crimes, accidents, or requesting police assistance.
• Officer Support: Receiving requests for information or assistance from officers in the field and dispatching them.
• After-Hours City Services: Handling calls for public works, such as broken water mains or traffic light malfunctions, when city departments are closed.
• Animal Control: Receiving reports regarding animals and dispatching Neighborhood Services Officers.
• Miscellaneous Inquiries: Citizens requesting travel directions to city facilities and businesses, City Hall inquiries for assistance, etc.
The job of a police communication operator/dispatcher is very busy and can be stressful at times. These professionals, who gather essential information from callers and who dispatch the appropriate first responders to the scene, must be able to take control of situations that may be chaotic, heart-wrenching, stressful, confusing, and frenzied. Dispatchers must be organized, adept at multitasking, level-headed, and trustworthy. Their work within emergency response services often places them in the middle of life-or-death situations, so continuous training is a major function of the job.
The Rockville City Police Department is proud of the work that our dispatchers do and would like to recognize and honor them during this important week.
Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council read and present this proclamation annually.