PSD Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) Systems Operations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dispatcher accidentally enters the wrong address for an active incident in CAD. What is the correct action?
- Leave the error in place to avoid confusion
- Correct the address immediately and notify responding units of the change (Correct answer)
- Create a new incident and abandon the original
- Wait until units arrive to correct the address
Correct answer: Correct the address immediately and notify responding units of the change
Address errors must be corrected immediately in CAD and all responding units notified to prevent units from going to the wrong location.
Question 2: What is the function of a CAD 'hot file' or 'BOLO' integration?
- To track dispatcher performance metrics
- To alert dispatchers when a queried vehicle or person matches a law enforcement alert (Correct answer)
- To automatically close resolved incidents
- To generate shift scheduling reports
Correct answer: To alert dispatchers when a queried vehicle or person matches a law enforcement alert
Hot file and BOLO integration queries law enforcement databases and alerts the dispatcher when a queried plate or person matches an active alert.
Question 3: When CAD recommends a 'closest available unit' that is outside the normal beat boundary, a dispatcher should:
- Always override CAD and send the beat unit regardless of distance
- Use judgment to balance response time needs against beat integrity per local protocol (Correct answer)
- Refuse to dispatch until the beat unit is available
- Send both units simultaneously without informing supervisors
Correct answer: Use judgment to balance response time needs against beat integrity per local protocol
Dispatchers must use professional judgment and follow local protocol when deciding whether to send the closest unit versus the assigned beat unit.
Question 4: In a CAD system, what is the significance of the 'incident type' code assigned at call intake?
- It determines which shift the dispatcher is assigned to
- It drives automated resource recommendations and priority assignments (Correct answer)
- It locks the incident from further editing
- It is used only for statistical reporting after the incident closes
Correct answer: It drives automated resource recommendations and priority assignments
The incident type code drives the CAD system's automated resource recommendations, priority level, and response protocols from the moment it is entered.
Question 5: A dispatcher notices that the CAD mapping layer is not displaying unit GPS positions. The best immediate action is to:
- Continue dispatching using only radio communications while reporting the issue to IT (Correct answer)
- Shut down all CAD terminals until the problem is fixed
- Stop accepting calls until mapping is restored
- Dispatch units randomly since GPS is unavailable
Correct answer: Continue dispatching using only radio communications while reporting the issue to IT
Dispatchers should continue operations using radio and alternative tracking methods while immediately reporting the technical issue to IT or a supervisor.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the CAD 'audit trail' or 'activity log'?
- To automatically reassign incidents when a dispatcher is on break
- To record every action taken on an incident for accountability and review (Correct answer)
- To generate automated responses to callers
- To restrict access to sensitive incident data
Correct answer: To record every action taken on an incident for accountability and review
The CAD audit trail records every action—entries, edits, status changes—creating an immutable accountability record for each incident.
Question 7: When entering a caller's callback number into CAD, why is accuracy especially critical?
- It is used to bill the caller for services rendered
- It allows dispatchers or responders to re-contact the caller if additional information is needed (Correct answer)
- It triggers automatic notification to next of kin
- It is required to close the incident in CAD
Correct answer: It allows dispatchers or responders to re-contact the caller if additional information is needed
An accurate callback number ensures dispatchers or responders can reach the caller for additional information or to provide guidance if the situation changes.
PSD Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) Systems Operations 3
A dispatcher accidentally enters the wrong address for an active incident in CAD.
What is the correct action?