APCO Police Communications Practice Test

How should a dispatcher prioritize incidents when multiple calls come in at once?

Use first-come, first-served for all calls. Assign units based on order of arrival and nearest unit. Use established priority hierarchy, triage by severity, time-sensitivity, equipment/service requirements, and then assign units. Wait for supervisor approval before acting.

Correct Answer:

Use established priority hierarchy, triage by severity, time-sensitivity, equipment/service requirements, and then assign units.

Explanation:

Prioritize incidents using a formal priority framework and triage, evaluating severity, time-sensitivity, and equipment or service requirements before deciding which units to dispatch. This approach ensures the most dangerous or time-critical situations receive attention first, while other calls are handled according to policy-defined priorities. After categorizing, assign the nearest available unit that has the necessary capabilities, balancing speed with the right resources. Relying on first-come, first-served can delay critical responses, and routing purely by proximity or waiting for supervisor approval can slow action on urgent incidents.

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