San Diego City Council to finalize approval of 911 dispatcher raise

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — The San Diego City Council will finalize the approval Tuesday of a pay raise for police dispatchers in hopes that it will improve staffing issues.

The council members will consider the proposed pay raise for police dispatchers in an effort to improve staffing in the San Diego Police Department’s communications center. The San Diego Police Department has been criticized in recent months for slow responses in answering 911 calls.

Last April a family called 911 dispatch for help after their three-day old baby was mauled by a dog but was placed on hold for several minutes and decided to drive themselves to the hospital.

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City leaders vowed to improve hiring and retention of dispatchers and hope the raise will help and encourage new hires to apply.

If approved San Diego dispatchers will get a 5 percent raise in July 2016 and January and July 2017.

The council will also consider a bond ballot proposal for 20 new fire stations in San Diego.