My Communications Officers Are Amazing People

Chaunci Hutchison, Communications Supervisor, Colorado State Patrol

I have been a communications officer for almost 12 years. I began at a local sheriff’s office and then transferred over to the State Patrol in 2007. I was promoted in 2014 to Communications Supervisor. I love dispatching. I love when the officers get home safe at night. I care very much about the safety of everyone out on the road. I have worked on many stressful calls, from my baby is not breathing and talking the new mother through CPR to a high-speed vehicular pursuit.

My communications officer are amazing people who work long hours, terrible shifts and handle millions of calls with smiles on their faces. The come in to cover when people are sick, the rarely if ever call off. They work on holidays and weekends. They support each other when losses happen. Most of the public does not understand what we do and the stress that comes along with it. The achy backs, the weight gain, the stomach issues, the stress related headaches and so many more.

The public has no idea that we are there 24/7 just in case something happens out there on the road. If the people that are denying us the reclassification had an emergency I bet they would be very sad if they called 911 in the middle of the night and no one was there because everyone works a 8-5 job with weekends off.

We are the people that talk to you on your worst day and we are the calm voice that sends help.