Purcell named dispatcher of the year

Crook County's own Jennifer Purcell has been honored with the Public Safety Telecommunicator of the Year award from the Wyoming chapter of APCO International.

Purcell has worked within the county's dispatch center for seven years, though her experience in the field spans two decades. She was nominated for her pleasant and professional manner with callers and colleagues at all times, no matter what kind of day she is having.

In announcing Purcell's award, APCO also recognized her for being "progressive and proactive in maintaining and raising the standards of professionalism in the communications center" and for being a team player who has helped cover numerous hours of sick time, sometimes even working double shifts.

"This award is well deserved by Jen, she excels when opportunities have risen and also takes the initiative to improve the Crook County Sheriff's Office operations. Jen strives to be professional and courteous while dispatching in some of the most stressful situations E911 dispatchers are exposed to," says Sheriff Jeff Hodge.

"Congratulations for receiving the award for Wyoming Telecommunicator of the Year 2022, it's a great achievement for Jen and a proud moment at the sheriff's office to have one of our own receive this award."

Purcell has worked several pursuits, as well as a multi-agency officer-involved shooting, and is described as showing professionalism and composure during critical incidents. She also serves as the emergency medical dispatch instructor, TAC and a communications officer and, as noted in the presentation of her award, even took it upon herself to update the training manual, create quizzes to be used in training and create a 911 education program for first graders during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

Purcell was recognized for inspiring confidence in law enforcement officers, because they know she is listening and doing everything possible to keep them safe, and callers because they feel they are being heard. It was noted that "you can actually 'hear' her smile when she talks to someone".

The county dispatch center narrowly lost out this year on a second prestigious award, though Sheriff Jeff Hodge says it's difficult to argue with the choice of winner.

"The Crook County Communication Center as a whole was also nominated for team of the year, but the award went to the Yellowstone Interagency Communication Center that took care of the Yellowstone Park flood earlier this year," he says.

"They definitely deserved that award for team of the year. From what I heard it was quite the ordeal managing the emergency situations that the flood caused, so congratulations to them."

APCO International was founded in 1935 and is now the world's largest organization of public safety communications professionals. With a membership of more than 35,000 people, it represents those who manage, operate, build and support public safety communications systems for fire, emergency medical, law enforcement and other agencies.