Sheriff

Services - Communications

The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Communications Division, more commonly known as 911 Dispatch, acts as the public safety answering point (PSAP) for the seven municipalities in Sherburne County. The Sheriff provides public safety radio network for the Becker, Big Lake, and Elk River police departments as well as the fire departments in Baldwin, Becker, Big Lake, Clear Lake, Elk River, and Zimmerman. The communications center is responsible for dispatching all law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) within Sherburne County.

The total number of incoming calls to the communications center increased in 2009 because all calls for service requested of the local Police Departments and Sheriff’s Office were provided a case number through dispatch. Many of these calls were handled further by trained dispatchers to provide additional assistance to citizens and law enforcement alike. In 2009, there were 60,494 incoming calls for service handled by the communications center. That is an average of 165.7 calls for service per day.

There are 12 full-time dispatchers and 3 part-time dispatchers that work in the communications center, providing 24 hour coverage. Minimum staffing at all times is two dispatchers, however, there are generally three dispatchers working during peak call load hours.