7-86-205 - Requirements for public safety dispatchers. - Tennessee Statutes

7-86-205. Requirements for public safety dispatchers.

(a)  Regardless of agency or governmental jurisdiction, each emergency call taker or public safety dispatcher who receives an initial or transferred 911 call from the public is subject to the training and course of study requirements established by the emergency communications board created pursuant to § 7-86-302.

(b)  The emergency communications board established by § 7-86-302 is the sole authority to implement this section.

(c)  Except as provided in subsection (e), beginning July 1, 2006, all emergency call takers or public safety dispatchers subject to the provisions of this section shall have successfully completed a course of study approved by the emergency communications board created pursuant to § 7-86-302.

(d)  Except as provided in subsection (f), in addition to the requirements of subsection (c), any such person shall:

     (1)  Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

     (2)  Be a citizen of the United States;

     (3)  Be a high school graduate or possess equivalency;

     (4)  Not have been convicted or pleaded guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or to any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances;

     (5)  Not have been released or discharged under other than an honorable or medical discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States;

     (6)  Have such person's fingerprints on file with the Tennessee bureau of investigation;

     (7)  Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician; and

     (8)  Have a good moral character as determined by a thorough investigation conducted by the employing agency.

(e)  All emergency call takers and public safety dispatchers subject to the provisions of this section employed after July 1, 2006, shall have six (6) months from the date of their employment to comply with the provisions of this section.

(f)  Notwithstanding other provisions of law to the contrary, the law in effect prior to May 1, 1994, relative to public safety dispatchers shall apply to any person who had more than five (5) years of continuous employment as a public safety dispatcher on May 1, 1994.

[Acts 1994, ch. 940, § 1; 1997, ch. 257, § 1; 1997, ch. 320, § 1; 1997, ch. 320, § 2; 1998, ch. 1108, § 31; T.C.A., 7-86-201; Acts 2000, ch. 946, § 3; Acts 2003, ch. 254, § 2; 2005, ch. 129, §§ 1-3.]