Despite resistance, county-wide consolidations of Highland’s 911 services moves forward
The final date is set: As of Wednesday, Aug. 17, Highland’s 911 calls will be greeted by the dispatchers of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.
Last fall, the Highland City Council voted to contract with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department for 911 services in advance of a state law requiring consolidation of 911 centers. The law, passed by the state legislature in 2015, required Madison County reduce from 16 “public safety answering points” to eight. The law met with strong resistance since its inception, but plans have gone forward nonetheless with county-wide consolidations of services.
Madison County already handles dispatch services for most of the communities surrounding Highland, so city leaders opted to volunteer to consolidate with the county rather than wait for forced consolidation, which would put Highland’s 911 dispatching out of Collinsville.
As of Wednesday, Aug. 17, the consolidation will be complete. The sheriff’s department will answer and dispatch 911 calls, while non-emergency calls will continue to come to the local police department.
Highland Police Chief Carole Presson said residents should not see any change or difference in their service going forward.
“Having worked with the members of the sheriff’s department for many years, I have seen firsthand that they are highly skilled and professional,” Presson said. “I have no doubt they will take very good care of handling our citizens’ calls.”
Public safety will continue to be open 24-7, according to a statement released by the city Friday. Two civilian police aides will be working in the building 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and officers will continue to be on duty at all times.
The dispatchers on staff at Highland Police Department had protested the plan, stating they live and work in Highland and know the community better than a dispatcher in another city would. But city leaders pointed out they had no choice: The state would enforce the consolidation within a few years if they did not manage it on their own terms.
Of the five dispatchers employed by Highland Police, two have transferred to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, one has transferred to Highland City Hall, and the remaining two will serve as the civilian police aides at the public safety building.
“The CPAs will handle all of the administrative duties as well as help with walk-in complaints,” Presson said.
The statement offered “extreme gratitude” to the dispatchers who have served the police department and wished them luck in their new positions.
“Their dedication to not only the citizens, but the officers as well, is true appreciated,” it read.
The plan was coordinated by Highland’s technology and police departments, Madison County’s technology and sheriff’s departments, GTSI and Wireless USA.
