Crime & Safety

Oakland County Dispatchers Now Certified in Emergency Police Dispatch Protocols

Effective Sept. 4, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Communications Unit (Dispatch Center) began using Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) protocols, making it the only center in Michigan and one of only nine centers in the United States certified in three cutting-edge protocols, including EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch), EFD (Emergency Fire Dispatch), and now EPD. 

EMD and EFD protocols have been used for more than 10 years. 

EPD is a software based program (as are medical and fire). A quick description of the program is that it gives the dispatcher detailed questions to ask callers which will identify caller and officer safety issues first, then quickly following up with key questions to ensure the proper response by deputies. This program allows call review and the ability to score each call for quality assurance purposes. This process will improve the dispatch center’s performance. 

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I am extremely proud of our dispatch and how they continue to be on the cutting edge of new technology and professionalism,” said Sheriff Mike Bouchard. “This in turn brings a higher level of service and safety to our community available to a select few. Being the only one in Michigan and one of only 9 centers in America to reach this level speaks for itself.” 

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office operates one of the largest police/fire dispatch 911 centers in Michigan. The Bureau is made up of one Chief of Communications, six Dispatch Specialist Shift Leaders, fifty-one Dispatch Specialists, and one office assistant. One additional position is assigned as a Quality Control Auditor, who routinely reviews service quality to ensure a constant and consistent work performance, and also provides for the specific training needs of the staff. 

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The OCSO Dispatch Center provides all the emergency and non-emergency answering for all of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, including the 16 cities, villages, and townships that contract the OCSO for police services, including Rochester . Also, it provides 911 emergency call answering and dispatching for six local police departments, sixteen fire departments, and answers 911 cell phone calls for many other communities within Oakland County. All call takers are fully trained and certified in EMD, EFD, and now EPD. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Rochester-Rochester Hills