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Las Vegas police not suffering from nationwide 911 dispatcher shortage

Posted at 9:12 AM, Oct 08, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-08 14:28:20-04

A nationwide shortage of 911 dispatchers is raising concerns about the effects on crime, and how soon you could see help if you need it.  

Agencies across the country are struggling to find 911 dispatchers. But according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, that's not the case here. They say they don't necessarily have a shortage, they just have really high turnover.  

That means there is no direct impact on the valley's crime or police response times.  

LVMPD says the high turnover is based on the high level of stress these dispatchers face every day.  

"Sometimes, when they graduate and hit the floor, and start getting those phone calls, some of the people quit because of high levels of stress and long hours," says Aden Ocampo Gomez with LVMPD.  

Las Vegas Metro is hiringdispatchers. They say even though it's a high stress job, it's also highly rewarding since they're getting people the help they need.