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Top Blogs

• Q and A with new assemblywoman

• Male-dominated engineering field tends to be shifting slowly with increase in female college students

• Breaking barriers in a male-dominated field

• Historical Galt building to be converted into restaurant

• Lodi, San Joaquin county try to stem robberies

• Rain to dominate Lodi area this week

• Regional Roundup

• Public Meetings

November 21st, 2009

• Logbook

• Holiday drive spreads cheer to U.S. troops

• Galt High students want board to approve open-campus policy

• Poisoning victims remain hospitalized

• Expert: Half a mushroom cap can be deadly

• Tokay grad files claim over Lodi's Grape Bowl

• Lodi Middle School holds annual Turkey Trot

• Regional Roundup

• No motive or suspect in shooting

• Sacramento cop arrested for alleged kidnapping

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Chase ends in crash

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

November 17th, 2009

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Clarification

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Regional Roundup

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (165)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (70)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (48)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Public health care is a Christian option (29)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Government-run health care is a bad idea (17)
• Young woman fatally shot at Acampo home (17)
• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi (16)

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Job as Lodi PD dispatcher/jailer requires commitment, adjustment

My heart was racing and my palms were clammy the first morning I came into the Lodi Police Department lobby to start my new job as a jailer and dispatcher.

I felt a little uncomfortable in my stiff new uniform and heavy black utility boots. I felt like the new kid at school, only a million times worse. It is hard to believe that this place would become my home away from home about two years after that nerve-racking first day.

Previous to joining Lodi PD, I dabbled in food service, insurance sales and was a receptionist. I have always liked a part of every job, but never before could I truly say that I love my job and actually enjoyed coming to work. Of course, there have been days where I feel overwhelmed, especially in the beginning. There were even a few when I felt like giving up, but I am glad I stuck it out, because this job is worth it.

The hiring process included a general written exam, oral panel interviews and an in-depth personal background investigation. If you make it through that, you have a psychological evaluation, a lie detector test, a physical and a drug test. From the time I initially applied until the time I was hired took approximately nine months.

The on-the-job training is a rigorous process, and the amount of time it takes to complete depends upon the individual; usually between three and six months. During this time the trainee will become acquainted with and eventually master each one of the three positions we currently have in dispatch. Next year, we will add a fourth position and will all be trained on Fire Dispatch.

Trainees begin by answering calls including the business lines, emergency calls and 911 lines. Trainers are with the new trainee on every call, monitoring how the call is handled and providing guidance and support. Once the trainee is confident in this position and they are up to the trainer's standards, they will begin working in the jail.

The jail was the most difficult part of the training program for me. You are routinely subjected to stressful circumstances in the jail, and until you are comfortable handling yourself in these situations it can be a little overwhelming. I have seen some crazy things in there and dealt with some very interesting characters. Now that I feel confident in my skills, I enjoy working in the jail.

The final position to be trained in is radio dispatch. I think this is where I fell in love with this job. Before getting hired, I sat with a Lodi PD dispatcher during her shift to get a feel for the job. I can remember being in awe of the dispatcher. She was sitting in front of six monitors, with several programs opened on each screen, talking on the telephone and dispatching officers by radio. It amazed me that one person was responsible for so much, and I couldn't wait to begin the training process.

In addition to the on-site training, I have also been sent to a grueling five-and-a-half week correction officer training program. This training was physically demanding and is required to work in our jail. There is also a required three-week public safety dispatcher academy certification.

Dispatchers and emergency call takers hold a very important place in our society. They are the first contact for people in need. They literally can make the difference between life and death. I feel very privileged to be included among such an esteemed profession. I look forward to continuing gaining experience and knowledge as a dispatcher, and to do my best to serve this community.

Jessica Yates joined the Lodi Police Department as a dispatcher/jailer in 2006. Any comments, questions or advice for Behind the Badge can be e-mailed to jbiskup@pd.lodi.gov or mailed to Jeanie Biskup, Lodi Police Department, 215 W. Elm Street, Lodi, CA 95240, phone (209)333-6864.