FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF)- The Fort Worth Police Communications Division needs to fill 39 job positions at the call center.
Communications Division Captain Robin Krouse says the staffing shortage is causing long wait times for residents.
“I feel for them, I absolutely do. The goal is to have no one go on hold,” said Krouse.
They received over 400 applications during the last posting but only eight people should be ready to start on August 30th because of the lengthy application and training process.
In the meantime, they’re working with an outside vendor to bring in temporary employees, they’re utilizing limited and light-duty officers to answer non-emergency calls and the fire department is also helping with the call load.
“Since the FWFD joined us and assisted on taking these medical and fire calls since July 23rd, they have taken over 800 calls so it’s been helping,” said Assistant Police Chief Julie Swearingin.
The division is also working on a plan to give eligible employees an almost 8% pay increase.
According to a Fort Worth Police Facebook post, a 911 Operator would get $17.72 per hour and Shift Differential pay and bilingual pay of $100 per month.