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Tennessee Highway Patrol welcomes dispatch Class 425, stresses readiness and resilience
Summary
The Tennessee Highway Patrol celebrated graduation of dispatch Class 425, with leaders urging new dispatchers to embrace change, protect their wellbeing and be ready for high-stakes calls. Lieutenant Colonel Tim Spicer and training coordinator Celeste Shmere led recognitions and presented certificates.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol on Saturday celebrated the graduation of dispatch Class 425, urging new dispatchers to embrace change, protect their wellbeing and be prepared for the responsibilities of public safety.
Lieutenant Colonel Tim Spicer, whose leadership the program credited in an introduction, told graduates they are "now members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol" and emphasized the transformation from trainee to public servant. "There's one constant in our job," Spicer said. "And that's change." He told graduates to accept evolving technology and policy rather than resist it.
Spicer thanked absent leaders Commissioner Jeff Long and Colonel Matt Perry and recognized Captain Christy Wallace and training-center staff for their work preparing dispatchers. He highlighted the scale of responsibility the role carries, noting the state's population and the department's personnel as context: "There's 7 million people that live in this state. We have over 1,200 troopers," he said, adding that the public will count on dispatchers to get it right.
Spicer gave three core pieces of advice: be open to change, maintain balance outside work to manage the job's toll, and be ready while on duty. On balance, he said dispatchers should find off-duty activities and support systems to avoid burnout: "When you're not at work, have those things that help you decompress."
After Spicer's remarks, training coordinator Celeste Shmere presented certificates and read aloud the names of graduates, including Jess Benham, Riley Bunch, Brian Gibbs Jackson, Lindsay Lafrenir, Tiffany Mole, Mattaline Tisdale, Faith Van Gilder and Brianna Woodcock. Shmere thanked Captain Wallace and administrative staff (she singled out a staff member named Rebecca) and praised training specialist Haley Mays for her support during the academy.
"As dispatchers, you are the calm in the chaos, the steady voice in the dark," Shmere said. "You are the first voice in someone's moment of crisis." She closed by congratulating Class 425 and formally dismissing the class.
No formal motions, votes or policy decisions were recorded during the ceremony. The event focused on recognition, staff acknowledgements and guidance for the new dispatchers.
