Veteran dispatcher named Joliet Telecommunicator of the Year

The Joliet 911 Communications Center announced that veteran dispatcher James Bagley is Joliet 911’s 2018 Telecommunicator of the Year.

“James started in Joliet in 2005 and is an exemplary dispatcher who continues to strive to improve, excel and innovate, not only for his own skill set and personal satisfaction, but for our center as well,” the police department said in a Facebook post. “He is a seasoned and skilled police dispatcher, outstanding in critical, rapidly evolving incidents. He applies critical thinking and is always planning ahead to resolve problems before they can occur.”

Bagley is a 911 center training officer and “as such, he makes sure that he gives trainees the assistance that they need, while also challenging them to think critically,” the Facebook post said.

“This allows the new hires to be able to make good decisions in stressful situations, as well as develop the critical-thinking skills needed to dispatch well. Jim also makes sure to give positive reinforcement so that trainees can develop the confidence needed to be a skilled dispatcher,” the post said.