Dispatch

Support Services

Imperial County Sheriff’s Communications Center

Our Mission

Prompt, Professional, and Compassionate Communications

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center is committed to providing prompt, professional, and compassionate emergency communications. Our dispatchers deliver accurate information, coordinate public safety resources, and provide critical support to deputies, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and partner agencies.

Through integrity, teamwork, and excellence in service, we are dedicated to protecting life and property throughout Imperial County.

About the Communications Center

The Critical Link Between Public and Emergency Responders

Our Public Safety Dispatchers answer emergency and non-emergency calls, assess each situation, gather vital information, and dispatch the appropriate resources as quickly and safely as possible. Throughout every call, dispatchers provide reassurance, instructions, and updates while coordinating with responding personnel until the incident is resolved.

Our Communications Center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

What We Do

Managing Every Call, Every Day

Our highly trained Public Safety Dispatchers manage law enforcement, fire, medical, and non-emergency calls while coordinating specialized resources including:

S.E.R.T. (Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team)
OHVEST / BEST (Off-Highway and Boating Enforcement)
Underwater Recovery Team (ICSURT)
De Anza Search and Rescue
Aero Squadron
Emergency Medical Helicopters
Mutual aid resources

Professional Training

Highly Trained Public Safety Dispatchers

Every dispatcher completes approximately five months of on-the-job training covering:

Emergency call-taking
Interviewing techniques
Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)
Records management systems
Radio communications
Dispatching incidents
Critical incident response

Within the first year of employment, all dispatchers must also complete the California POST Basic Dispatch Academy.

Text-to-911

When You Can’t Safely Call

Text-to-911 is available throughout Imperial County.

Call if you can. Text if you can’t.

Texting is appropriate when you are:

Deaf or hard of hearing
Non-verbal
In a situation where you cannot safely speak
Experiencing a medical emergency that prevents speaking

How to Text

Steps for Texting 9-1-1

Enter 911 in the To field
Provide your exact location
Briefly describe the emergency
Press Send
Answer follow-up questions
Use plain language
Do not send photos or videos

Important Notice

Use 9-1-1 Only for Emergencies

Text-to-911 should only be used during emergencies. Misuse of the 9-1-1 system is a criminal offense and may result in prosecution.

Contact

Reach the Communications Center

911 — Emergency (life-threatening incidents)
(442) 265-2021 — Non-Emergency (24/7)

Mailing address:
Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center
P.O. Box 1040
El Centro, CA 92243