The Albuquerque Police Department is dealing with a shortage of dispatchers and call-takers, forcing some employees to work long hours and prompting calls for better pay and support.

Staffing Challenges

Emergency Communications Manager Jessica Solis said the department has 14 call-taker vacancies and 14 dispatcher vacancies. APD is authorized for 73 call-taker positions and 42 dispatcher positions.

Dispatcher Jasmin Arias raised concerns before the City Council, saying the workload and forced overtime are taking a toll on employees. Arias asked councilors to consider first responder pay and hazard pay for dispatchers and call-takers, saying the stress of the job is compounded by long shifts and intense emergency calls.

Between April 2025 and April 2026, call-takers averaged 37 forced overtime instances, while dispatchers averaged 30, Solis said. Those shifts ranged from a few minutes to as much as eight extra hours.

Hiring Efforts

APD is working to hire more employees, but the process takes time as full training can take six to nine months. Solis said the department is pulling applications and moving candidates through the process every two to three weeks.

APD is also offering a $3,500 hiring bonus for the positions. Solis said the department offers support resources for employees, including behavioral health services, therapy, peer support, and employee assistance programs.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.