Pasadena Police 911 Dispatchers Begin Screening Calls

The Pasadena Police Department began screening calls today that would require officers to come in contact with callers.

According to Lt. Pete Hettema, the department is following best from the health department and the fire department.

“We’re asking dispatch to screen certain calls that are coming in when they are requesting direct contact with an officer,” Hettema said.

Dispatchers are asking callers if they have returned from another country, if they have had flu like symptoms and related questions.

“In certain cases, we’ll ask if we can take more information over the phone and start that way. We’re having the issues that come up with that people are not sure what we’re doing,” he said.

Hettema said the department is getting “some pushback occasionally.”

“They’re trying to let the officers know before they go in, what the possibilities are and whether they need to take extra precautions beyond what we’re doing already.”

Other departments are taking similar measures.

Lafayette Louisiana Police Chief Patrick Flannelly said recently, officers will make determinations on which calls require the physical presence of an officer and calls that can be handled over the phone or by other means.

Lafayette police may also ask people to step outside when they come to homes, businesses or other places unless it is necessary for them to enter the premises.

In Denver, police have started taking some reports and statements via phone call instead of dispatching officers to gather information in person.