A team of high-pressure communicators has been given a high-level honour.
The members of the RCMP's C-watch dispatchers at the Operational Communication Centre (OCC) at regional headquarters in Prince George were just tapped by the province's commanding officer as the best of the bunch in B.C. for 2009. Due to scheduling with the top Mountie in the province, and RCMP protocols, the announcement was made just in time for National Public Service Week, on now across Canada.
The award was won "for both their operational performance on a consistent basis and for their internal working/business processes," said North District OCC commander Sandy Vogstad. "Our RCMP civilian members communication operators are the first point of contact for the public, subsequently playing a vital role in public safety."
There are four watches on a 24-hour rotation at North District OCC. The supervisor of C-watch is Liesl Wittkopf who said the award was acknowledgment of a lot of dedication to the craft by the 16 people who work that shift.
"That team in particular had gone through a lot of changes but grew together into a well-oiled machine," she said. "It is not always the happiest place to work. Nobody calls the police because they are having a great day, and what everyone on the phones has to deal with can wear on you. This group had to deal with a lot of major incidents, just luck of the draw, in a fairly short period of time but they kept a smile on their face, supported each other, and showed up for work each day with the attitude to maintain a high level of performance."
OCC operators have to encounter the public in the worst of conditions. Sometimes they are the ones who have to talk suicidal people out of a fatal act, or counsel an abused spouse out of leaving a violent home, or bring orientation to a chaotic crime scene - all so Mounties can get to the emergency in the quickest time possible with as much information as possible about what they are about to encounter.
The C-watch OCC group also organized a successful Salvation Army food drive that is now an annual extravaganza for police, and contribute to the local RCMP's efforts for the United Way, Cops For Cancer and other causes.
It is a strong example of what those in the public service can do with a strong resolve to help people.
"This week, under the theme of Be the Change!, public servants have a chance to celebrate the exceptional work they are doing across the country, and to imagine ways in which they can influence positive change," said Governor General David Johnston to mark the nation's commemorative week for public servants, of which he is the head. "As we head towards Canada's 150th anniversary in 2017, I believe we can come together to build a smarter and more caring nation for all."
Wittkopf said the people at North District OCC have "a really big tool belt" with technology and resources to aid the public and police alike. They have a high level of training. What they do with that is up to the individual in concert with the group.
"There is no toxic environment here, and that doesn't come naturally for any large group of people," she said. "That is something you have to work at. You have to care about it. For me, it is a calling."
More candidates are being sought now, she said, so anyone interested in a dynamic job helping the public can join their award-winning team.
