Computers in the Workplace

 

 

Computers in the Workplace

 So, let's look into how computers can be used in the workplace. I worked at a 911 dispatch center for a short time and saw how important technology is for that field, so let's look into that a bit. In law enforcement, computers serve mainly as a means of relaying information. They are also used to find information. Different call centers work differently, so I’ll give information based on the center I worked in. When a call came in, the computer gave information as to where the call was coming from and if there were any important notes regarding that address. The Communications Officer then entered the call information into the computer and sent the call over to dispatch. Once dispatch received the call, they used the computer to assign officers to the call. The computers also housed the radio that dispatch uses to contact the police officers directly.

               It’s important for someone in this industry to be computer literate as it’s sending/receiving information quickly is vital to the work. If someone doesn’t understand how to use a computer, it could literally cost lives. Also, it’s a high-stress occupation and understanding computers needs to be second nature as one doesn’t have time to be thinking about which button to press in an emergency situation.

               In the dispatch center we had to run drills in case the systems ever went down. So, we would turn off the computers and would write the information down and then run the calls over to the dispatch side. I imagine this is what it would have been like before computers made everything so much easier and efficient.

               With the advances in technology, I imagine there will be a day when the software will automatically detect the priority of a call and assign police officers to the calls themselves. However, I do believe that Communication Officers and Dispatch Officers will still remain relevant as there is no room in this industry for general computer errors.