career survival in the communications center telecommunications academy

Career Survival in the Career Survival in the Communications CenterCommunications Center

Telecommunications AcademyTelecommunications Academy

ObjectivesObjectives

• List three areas where a telecommunicator List three areas where a telecommunicator could engage in unethical conduct.could engage in unethical conduct.

• List two of the areas that are considered a List two of the areas that are considered a violation of the honor code.violation of the honor code.

DOCJT Tele AcademyDOCJT Tele Academy

• The telecommunications academy was The telecommunications academy was mandated by legislation under Gov. Paul mandated by legislation under Gov. Paul Patton in March, 2003. Patton in March, 2003.

• All full time telecommunicators in KY are All full time telecommunicators in KY are required to attend either a 3 or 4 week required to attend either a 3 or 4 week academy (depending on whether the agency academy (depending on whether the agency has NCIC access or not)has NCIC access or not)


• Currently, part time telecommunicators are Currently, part time telecommunicators are not required to have ANY training unless not required to have ANY training unless they are a CJIS agency (one that has NCIC they are a CJIS agency (one that has NCIC access). CJIS is a 40 hour class, and is access). CJIS is a 40 hour class, and is offered several times a year for part time offered several times a year for part time telecommunicators.telecommunicators.


• We are extremely proud of the training that We are extremely proud of the training that telecommunicators receive while attending telecommunicators receive while attending the academy.the academy.

• They receive training in Basic They receive training in Basic Telecommunications, CJIS, Family Telecommunications, CJIS, Family Violence, Crisis Negotiations, Spanish for Violence, Crisis Negotiations, Spanish for the telecommunicator, CPR, EMD, and the telecommunicator, CPR, EMD, and ICS.ICS.


• Trainees are required to stay in the Trainees are required to stay in the dormitory on campus for the duration of dormitory on campus for the duration of their training but can go home on their training but can go home on weekends.weekends.


• During a lengthy orientation session, During a lengthy orientation session, trainees are introduced to the trainees are introduced to the “Telecommunications Academy Honor “Telecommunications Academy Honor Code”. The trainees recite the code during Code”. The trainees recite the code during orientation, and must recite the same every orientation, and must recite the same every morning that they are in training.morning that they are in training.

Academy Honor CodeAcademy Honor Code

Though the honor code is quite lengthy, “We will Though the honor code is quite lengthy, “We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate any among us not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate any among us who do” is a line that stands out, and is framed who do” is a line that stands out, and is framed and posted on classroom walls.and posted on classroom walls.

Our trainees are instructed that honor code Our trainees are instructed that honor code violations will get them removed from training violations will get them removed from training more than anything else they may do while they more than anything else they may do while they are here.are here.

Academy disciplineAcademy discipline

• Most of our disciplinary problems are Most of our disciplinary problems are minor, not having their hair up, shirts not minor, not having their hair up, shirts not tucked in, not wearing a belt etc. However, tucked in, not wearing a belt etc. However, there have been instances where students there have been instances where students have violated policies or broken rules have violated policies or broken rules serious enough to get themselves removed serious enough to get themselves removed from training.from training.


• Our trainees are also instructed on day one Our trainees are also instructed on day one that fraternization with other trainees, that fraternization with other trainees, whether fellow classmates or police whether fellow classmates or police recruits, will not be tolerated. There are to recruits, will not be tolerated. There are to be no public displays of affection while be no public displays of affection while attending training. attending training.


• Foul/abusive/offensive language will not be Foul/abusive/offensive language will not be tolerated, and the agency has a ZERO tolerated, and the agency has a ZERO tolerance policy for all forms of harassment.tolerance policy for all forms of harassment.

• Trainees have a curfew of 2300 hrs each Trainees have a curfew of 2300 hrs each night. They must be in the dorm at that night. They must be in the dorm at that time, with lights out at 2330. Lights out time, with lights out at 2330. Lights out means no talking on the phone, reading, means no talking on the phone, reading, watching TV etc.watching TV etc.


• Tele Academy coordinators perform Tele Academy coordinators perform random dorm room inspections for random dorm room inspections for cleanliness.cleanliness.

• We also do night time dorm checks to We also do night time dorm checks to check for curfew violations, and perform check for curfew violations, and perform PBTs on them to ensure that there has been PBTs on them to ensure that there has been no alcohol use (Zero tolerance!)no alcohol use (Zero tolerance!)


• A recent rule added to our training A recent rule added to our training addresses cell phones and other electronic addresses cell phones and other electronic devices. There are to be no cell phones, devices. There are to be no cell phones, blackberries, or I pods in the classroom. blackberries, or I pods in the classroom. They must be left in the dorm room. They must be left in the dorm room.

Too tough?????Too tough?????

• There have been 3 incidents (since I’ve There have been 3 incidents (since I’ve been coordinating for 3 years) where been coordinating for 3 years) where trainees were removed from training on trainees were removed from training on disciplinary action. They were escorted to disciplinary action. They were escorted to their dorm rooms to pack their belongings, their dorm rooms to pack their belongings, and were escorted off of DOCJT property.and were escorted off of DOCJT property.

Career Survival TrainingCareer Survival Training

• Our intent is to add a 2 hour block of Our intent is to add a 2 hour block of instruction on Career Survival in the first instruction on Career Survival in the first week of the Tele Academy. week of the Tele Academy.

• What are some topics that you think should What are some topics that you think should be included in a telecommunicator’s career be included in a telecommunicator’s career survival training?survival training?

Training topicsTraining topics

• NCIC misuseNCIC misuse• ConfidentialityConfidentiality• Temptations to “tip off” friendsTemptations to “tip off” friends• Opportunities to misuse their positionOpportunities to misuse their position• PromiscuityPromiscuity

Career Survival TrainingCareer Survival Training

• Though these issues are discussed Though these issues are discussed throughout the academy, Having a separate throughout the academy, Having a separate block will benefit the trainee. By having it block will benefit the trainee. By having it all in one block of instruction, the trainees all in one block of instruction, the trainees will be able to participate in “debates” will be able to participate in “debates” (much as we have in this class) and that (much as we have in this class) and that they will retain what we’ve discussed!they will retain what we’ve discussed!

career survival in the communications center telecommunications academy

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