Park County commissioners agreed to fill one vacant dispatcher position in the sheriff’s office after the sheriff’s office outlined staffing needs and operations.

A representative of the Sheriff’s Office told commissioners the dispatch center runs 24 hours a day, typically handling about 150 to 225 calls for service per 24-hour period. The representative said coverage often requires a single dispatcher overnight and that two dispatchers are preferable during busier daytime periods so one can handle city calls while the other covers county traffic. The sheriff’s representative said half the dispatcher’s wages are reimbursed by the City of Cody under an existing arrangement.

Commissioners discussed recruitment sources and training. The sheriff’s office representative said there are prior applicants on file and that the state communications basic academy recently was condensed to about two weeks; local field training (FTO) typically runs 10 to 12 weeks. The office also runs an internal training program and schedules new hires to attend the state academy when available.

Commissioner (name not specified) moved to approve filling the vacant dispatcher position; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners noted a broader conversation about hiring freezes and the county budget may be appropriate later in the fiscal year but did not withhold approval for this position because the expense was within department budget.