Each year, the second full week in the month of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators, known as "National Public Safety Telecommunications Week". The City of Alachua Police Department has its own telecommunications section, referred to as the Communications Division, which is comprised of seven (7) full-time employees; one (1) Communications Supervisor and six (6) Communications Operators. The Communications Division is the public's first line of contact with the department.
They are responsible for handling all incoming emergency calls for service to the department, including 911 transfers from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office; dispatching and monitoring of radio traffic for all officers responding to and initiating calls for service, as well as walk-ins at the station. While this is but a brief list of their duties and responsibilities, and in no way intended to be all inclusive, it is important to recognize that the Communications Division is a vital component of the public safety service provided to our citizens. Therefore, in recognition of their significant contributions to the community, staff requests proclaiming the week of April 10th - 16th, 2022, as "National Public Safety Telecommunications Week" in the City of Alachua, Florida.
