Sayre, OK — As part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, local officials are taking time to recognize the critical role dispatchers play in keeping both law enforcement and the public safe.

Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning praised the work of his department’s telecommunicators, noting their responsibilities go far beyond answering phones.

“We want to make sure that we congratulate and appreciate our telecommunicators” Manning said. “Captain Zachary Allen and all of her crew will be doing something a little bit special for them this week.”

Manning emphasized that dispatchers serve as a vital link between deputies in the field and the resources they need, often taking on responsibilities that mirror investigative work.

“They’re actually dispatchers up there acting as investigators,” he said. “Looking into information online, on social media, checking records, warrants, past history, anything that will help us as we’re dealing with the situation.”

According to Manning, that level of awareness and initiative helps reduce the burden on deputies and enhances overall safety during calls.

“They think outside the box,” he said. “Sometimes more like cops than dispatchers, although they’d tell me that’s just thinking like a dispatcher.”

At the core of the job, Manning said, is a commitment to safety.

“If you ask them what their main job is, number one job they’re going to tell you is to provide safety, both for the public and for the deputy out there,” he said. “That’s something they take to heart.”

Dispatchers are often the only lifeline officers have when responding to emergencies, coordinating backup, medical assistance, and tracking locations in real time.

“They’re the communication that officer has back with other help, other resources, medical help if it’s needed,” Manning said. “They make sure we know where our deputies are and that they’re okay.”

Manning described the role as a “sacred duty,” not only for protecting officers but also for assisting members of the public in moments of crisis.

“When somebody calls in and they’re in trouble or hurt or scared, that too is a sacred duty for them,” he said. “I can’t stress enough how seriously they take that job.”

He added that the dedication seen in Beckham County reflects the professionalism of dispatchers across all agencies, including city departments and the highway patrol.

Manning credited leadership within the sheriff’s office, particularly Captain Zachary Allen, for fostering a culture that prioritizes responsibility, awareness, and quick thinking.

“She has instilled that through her ranks, that this job is a serious, sacred job that helps people be safe at the end of the day,” Manning said.

While the work can be challenging and outcomes are not always perfect, Manning said dispatchers remain focused on providing help when it matters most.

“Even if you do everything right, sometimes people still get hurt,” he said. “But you’re there to provide help.”

As the week continues, Manning said the recognition is well deserved.

“I just can’t say enough about my folks that do that job,” he said. “They are exceptional.”

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