Berrien County sheriff urges recruitment of 9-1-1 dispatchers, warns of officer-safety impacts

Sheriff Chuck Hite of the Berrien County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday emphasized the county's need for 9-1-1 dispatchers, saying dispatchers are the first line in answering emergency calls and provide critical information to police and fire responders.

"Berrien County 9 11 dispatchers are vital to public safety in our county," Hite said, adding that dispatchers "are the first line in in answering calls for 911 and provide valuable information to officers, not only in the sheriff's office, but throughout our county for law enforcement agencies and fire departments responding to emergency." He also urged people interested in the role to apply, saying, "If you're interested in becoming a 9 1 1 dispatcher and working for an amazing team that provides, public safety throughout our county, please apply today."

Hite warned that without dispatchers, response times can be hindered and "vital information may not be relayed to our officers which would cause an officer safety problem." The remarks framed the role as central to both public safety and officer safety in the county.

The comments were a request for recruitment and did not include a staffing count, hiring timeline, pay scale, application link, or other procedural details. Those specifics were not specified in the recorded remarks.

No formal action, vote, hiring decision, or policy change was recorded during the remarks; the statement was a public appeal for applicants and a description of dispatcher duties and importance.