Communications
The Rochester Police Department operates a State-of-the-Art Communications Center.
When Ted Blair, Jr. was appointed Chief of Police in 1995, one of his goals was to create and build a modernized communications center that would serve the City of Rochester well for many years to come, and be comfortable for the Communications Specialists who provide the Community with its most vital link to safety and security. His goal was reached in February of 1997. The Communications Center was dedicated on May 7, 1997 in honor of Chief Blair, who was not able to see for himself the fruits of his labor go on-line due to his untimely passing just a few months prior. His insight, integrity, purpose, and wisdom is a legacy cherished by all, who have had the pleasure to work with Ted.
In 2004, the Communications Center saw another significant upgrade when operations were moved to the new police headquarters building. Since then, the center has seen regular upgrades and continues to be a key component in the overall operation of the department.
Communications Staff
The Rochester Public Safety Communications Center is overseen by a Communications Manager and staffed with eleven full-time plus one part-time Communication Specialists. Combined experience in public safety dispatching is over 45 years and growing each year. In early 1998, the Communications staff took on the added responsibility and privilege of dispatch functions for the Rochester Fire Department. In 2007, Rochester Public Safety entered into a partnership with Frisbie Memorial Hospital Ambulance and now dispatches over 6000 requests for emergency medical care.
The Communications Center is extremely busy answering E-911 calls, non-critical, administrative and informational calls, monitoring police, fire and EMS units activity, supplying information and meeting all sorts of demands presented to the specialists on a daily basis. Every day presents new questions, and new solutions for a large and growing city.
The “Center"
Our state-of-the-art equipment includes the Motorola touch screen modular radio display computer. We can program screens, change radio frequencies, open lock/unlock doors, page apparatus, change traffic control lights, and perform many other functions with the touch of a finger tip… instantly… all on one computer monitor.
The Department’s in-house computer system includes computer aided dispatch, or CAD system. In seconds, we can type in the type of call or complaint and have access to officer safety information for the address or occupants. Warrants, Restraining Orders, Arrests, Hazards, and other vital information can be shared with the responding patrol officers immediately. When a crime is committed, the Communications log becomes a link to the Officer’s report, the investigation and the prosecuting attorney’s file.
The Communications Center has numerous other pieces of technical equipment at its service including: a TTY machine (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf), instant recall recorder, taped video monitors, alarm monitoring devices and other various office equipment.
Crime Line (603) 335-6500
When Ted Blair, Jr. was appointed Chief of Police in 1995, one of his goals was to create and build a modernized communications center that would serve the City of Rochester well for many years to come, and be comfortable for the Communications Specialists who provide the Community with its most vital link to safety and security. His goal was reached in February of 1997. The Communications Center was dedicated on May 7, 1997 in honor of Chief Blair, who was not able to see for himself the fruits of his labor go on-line due to his untimely passing just a few months prior. His insight, integrity, purpose, and wisdom is a legacy cherished by all, who have had the pleasure to work with Ted.
In 2004, the Communications Center saw another significant upgrade when operations were moved to the new police headquarters building. Since then, the center has seen regular upgrades and continues to be a key component in the overall operation of the department.
Communications Staff
The Rochester Public Safety Communications Center is overseen by a Communications Manager and staffed with eleven full-time plus one part-time Communication Specialists. Combined experience in public safety dispatching is over 45 years and growing each year. In early 1998, the Communications staff took on the added responsibility and privilege of dispatch functions for the Rochester Fire Department. In 2007, Rochester Public Safety entered into a partnership with Frisbie Memorial Hospital Ambulance and now dispatches over 6000 requests for emergency medical care.
The Communications Center is extremely busy answering E-911 calls, non-critical, administrative and informational calls, monitoring police, fire and EMS units activity, supplying information and meeting all sorts of demands presented to the specialists on a daily basis. Every day presents new questions, and new solutions for a large and growing city.
The “Center"
Our state-of-the-art equipment includes the Motorola touch screen modular radio display computer. We can program screens, change radio frequencies, open lock/unlock doors, page apparatus, change traffic control lights, and perform many other functions with the touch of a finger tip… instantly… all on one computer monitor.
The Department’s in-house computer system includes computer aided dispatch, or CAD system. In seconds, we can type in the type of call or complaint and have access to officer safety information for the address or occupants. Warrants, Restraining Orders, Arrests, Hazards, and other vital information can be shared with the responding patrol officers immediately. When a crime is committed, the Communications log becomes a link to the Officer’s report, the investigation and the prosecuting attorney’s file.
The Communications Center has numerous other pieces of technical equipment at its service including: a TTY machine (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf), instant recall recorder, taped video monitors, alarm monitoring devices and other various office equipment.
Crime Line (603) 335-6500
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I know if my call is an emergency?
A. Examples of emergencies are: a crime or incident in progress, a suspicious person or vehicle, or when there is a risk of loss of life or property. Non-emergencies include crimes or incidents not in progress, animal calls, directions, questions about special events, and loud music calls. If you are not sure if your concern qualifies as an emergency, go ahead and dial 911. The dispatcher will refer you to the non-emergency number if appropriate.
Q. How can I help myself in an emergency?
A. Most importantly, remain calm and work with the 911 Tele-communicator. Valuable time can be lost to panic. You may be able to provide important information for the responders or take some important first steps to handle the situation at hand. For the speediest response possible, be prepared to supply the Telecommunicator with the following information: type of problem, where you are, where the problem is, phone number you may be called back at, color of the house, closest cross streets, landmarks, how many people are involved, descriptions of any vehicles involved, and descriptions of any suspects and direction of travel.
If you are calling from a cellular phone, make note of landmarks, mile markers on the highways, and any other information which could provide your location. When you dial 911 from a cellular phone, it is not answered by your local Dispatch Center, but rather the State of New Hampshire’s Enhanced 911 Public Safety Answering Point in Concord NH. It is vital to be as specific as you can regarding your location especially on a cellular phone.
Q. What happens when I dial 911? Am I talking to my local Communications Center?
A. The answer is both yes and no. Your 911 call goes from your phone to the State of New Hampshire’s Enhanced 911 Public Safety Answering Point in Concord. The 911 Telecommunicator in Concord will ask you if your emergency is for police, fire or medical response. Your call is then routed to the Dispatch Center in Rochester. Rochester will take over the call and ask you more detailed questions to give the responding Officers a better idea of your situation.
Q. Why does the Communications Staff sometimes tell me to call back on the non-emergency number?
A. Many people use 911 to call for any complaint or question they might have. If Dispatchers are answering non-emergency questions, true emergency 911 calls experience a delay. For non-emergencies, call 603-330-7127, hit option 1 on the auto attendant.
Q. Why does it take so long for an Officer to show up at my house when I call?
A. There are several reasons for this. First, the large number of calls received often outnumber the Officers available to handle these calls. Second, the Communications Staff works on a triage system, using answers to their questions to prioritize calls from highest priorities to lower priorities. For example, a fight in progress or a motor vehicle accident with injuries would be assigned higher priorities than a barking dog or theft not in progress.
A. Examples of emergencies are: a crime or incident in progress, a suspicious person or vehicle, or when there is a risk of loss of life or property. Non-emergencies include crimes or incidents not in progress, animal calls, directions, questions about special events, and loud music calls. If you are not sure if your concern qualifies as an emergency, go ahead and dial 911. The dispatcher will refer you to the non-emergency number if appropriate.
Q. How can I help myself in an emergency?
A. Most importantly, remain calm and work with the 911 Tele-communicator. Valuable time can be lost to panic. You may be able to provide important information for the responders or take some important first steps to handle the situation at hand. For the speediest response possible, be prepared to supply the Telecommunicator with the following information: type of problem, where you are, where the problem is, phone number you may be called back at, color of the house, closest cross streets, landmarks, how many people are involved, descriptions of any vehicles involved, and descriptions of any suspects and direction of travel.
If you are calling from a cellular phone, make note of landmarks, mile markers on the highways, and any other information which could provide your location. When you dial 911 from a cellular phone, it is not answered by your local Dispatch Center, but rather the State of New Hampshire’s Enhanced 911 Public Safety Answering Point in Concord NH. It is vital to be as specific as you can regarding your location especially on a cellular phone.
Q. What happens when I dial 911? Am I talking to my local Communications Center?
A. The answer is both yes and no. Your 911 call goes from your phone to the State of New Hampshire’s Enhanced 911 Public Safety Answering Point in Concord. The 911 Telecommunicator in Concord will ask you if your emergency is for police, fire or medical response. Your call is then routed to the Dispatch Center in Rochester. Rochester will take over the call and ask you more detailed questions to give the responding Officers a better idea of your situation.
Q. Why does the Communications Staff sometimes tell me to call back on the non-emergency number?
A. Many people use 911 to call for any complaint or question they might have. If Dispatchers are answering non-emergency questions, true emergency 911 calls experience a delay. For non-emergencies, call 603-330-7127, hit option 1 on the auto attendant.
Q. Why does it take so long for an Officer to show up at my house when I call?
A. There are several reasons for this. First, the large number of calls received often outnumber the Officers available to handle these calls. Second, the Communications Staff works on a triage system, using answers to their questions to prioritize calls from highest priorities to lower priorities. For example, a fight in progress or a motor vehicle accident with injuries would be assigned higher priorities than a barking dog or theft not in progress.
