The Mississippi State University Police Department opened its new communication center Sept. 27, with service beginning the following day.
The new center offers marked improvements over conditions dispatchers worked in prior to the renovation, with two allnew six-monitor workstations. The equipment is also adjustable for the comfort of the dispatchers, allowing them to electronically raise and lower the screens’ height and have the choice between standing or sitting at their stations.
“Our old communication center required the dispatcher to get up from their position and go to the other side of the room just to do their job,” said MSU Chief of Police Vance Rice.
Rice said in addition to its inconvenient location, the prior equipment was obsolete.
The new setup will also allow the two dispatchers on duty to better collaborate during emergencies.
“They are on the front line of officer safety,” Rice said, explaining the importance of communication in law enforcement.
Rice said the new equipment was a big change for the department’s seven dispatchers, and some adjustments had to be made to accommodate their preferences, including switching the positions of some of the monitor displays.
“We had to adjust some things for them, Rice said. “It’s a totally different environment in that room.”
The communication center is part of a $275,000 renovation to the MSU Police headquarters in the Butler Williams Building over the summer. In addition to the communications center, locations of the department’s kitchen and interview room were switched.
Rice said the new interview room was smaller and better soundproofed with additional sheetrock.
“Overall, it took about two years from the idea and proposal being made to the work starting,” Rice said.
Rice also thanked MSU President Mark Keenum for supporting the renovations.
“This is a wonderful addition that will enhance the safety and security of the campus family,” Keenum said. “This new dispatch center will allow us to respond much more efficiently and effectively in times of emergency when anyone in the MSU family is in need.”