Milwaukee police are in the process of training 34 new 911 dispatchers.
The group was sworn in Monday morning, and will now undergo 12 weeks of training.
Eight weeks of training will be in the classroom, another four weeks of practical training will take place at the call center.
MPD said over the summer it was short about 30 dispatchersafter complaints of long wait times and calls being transferred to the county.
“We're hopeful this will plug a major hole in our communications efforts,” said Police Chief Edward Flynn. “There's always going to be some turnover. You’re never able to maintain the perfect number indefinitely, but this goes a long way to helping us be more efficient with our communications division."
Flynn said a targeted recruitment and testing effort led by MPD and the city’s Fire and Police Commission reeled in more than 700 applicants.
Flynn told the new dispatcher recruits Monday they were the best of the bunch.
“You will be the first point of contact for the residents of Milwaukee when they are having a personal crisis,” the Chief said.
26-year-old Sabree Bartee, one of the dispatcher recruits, said she wants to help the city she was born and raised in.
“It’s really important for me to help the people of my community,” Bartee said.
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