The 911 dispatcher who spoke with Amanda Berry to be reviewed for lack of empathy
Published: 2013 May 09 11:12:54 (5517 Views)
The 911 dispatchers who received calls from frantic kidnap victim Amanda Berry will be put under review, Cleveland's safety director said in a statement Tuesday.
Martin Flask [pictured above], director of public safety for the northeastern Ohio city, issued a statement saying the 4-year dispatch veteran who fielded Berry's calls displayed a clear lack of sensitivity and empathy for the situation.
"While the call-taker complied with policies and procedures, which enabled a very fast response by police, we have noted some concerns which will be the focus of our review, including the call-taker's failure to remain on the line with Ms. Berry until police arrived on the scene," Flask said in his statement, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
He assured the public that the matter "will be investigated, and if necessary, appropriate corrective action taken."
Flask, who worked for many years as a Cleveland police officer, said that he contacted the official in charge of dispatcher training, adding that the 911 operator in question could be subject to counseling or additional training.
Social media users were quick to lambast the dispatcher, saying that they were unnecessarily curt and brusque with Berry, who was audibly distressed when she cried into the phone, "Hello, police, help me. I'm Amanda Berry. I've been kidnapped and I've been missing for 10 years, and I'm, I'm here. I'm free now."
The dispatcher's handling of Berry was criticized, as they appear annoyed that Berry is calling from a different address on Seymour Avenue. They also said: 'We're going to send (the police) as soon as we get a car open," despite Berry's pleas for officers to arrive immediately.
Police Commander Thomas Stacho, who runs dispatch operations for the city, told WKYC that a correct address is imperative in helping 911 callers, so police are sent to the area where they are needed.
However, he said that this dispatcher "dropped the ball" on this particular case because she did not keep a frantic Berry on the line until police arrived, and failed to be more compassionate or sympathetic to the woman who had been held in captivity for nearly a decade.
Flask also added that the dispatcher, who has worked in the position for four years, may have been unfamiliar with Berry's case.
He hailed other aspects of the call, including the fact that a police dispatch arrived at the house on Seymour Avenue only a minute and a half after Berry placed the call.
- NYDN
Martin Flask [pictured above], director of public safety for the northeastern Ohio city, issued a statement saying the 4-year dispatch veteran who fielded Berry's calls displayed a clear lack of sensitivity and empathy for the situation.
"While the call-taker complied with policies and procedures, which enabled a very fast response by police, we have noted some concerns which will be the focus of our review, including the call-taker's failure to remain on the line with Ms. Berry until police arrived on the scene," Flask said in his statement, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
He assured the public that the matter "will be investigated, and if necessary, appropriate corrective action taken."
Flask, who worked for many years as a Cleveland police officer, said that he contacted the official in charge of dispatcher training, adding that the 911 operator in question could be subject to counseling or additional training.
Social media users were quick to lambast the dispatcher, saying that they were unnecessarily curt and brusque with Berry, who was audibly distressed when she cried into the phone, "Hello, police, help me. I'm Amanda Berry. I've been kidnapped and I've been missing for 10 years, and I'm, I'm here. I'm free now."
The dispatcher's handling of Berry was criticized, as they appear annoyed that Berry is calling from a different address on Seymour Avenue. They also said: 'We're going to send (the police) as soon as we get a car open," despite Berry's pleas for officers to arrive immediately.
Police Commander Thomas Stacho, who runs dispatch operations for the city, told WKYC that a correct address is imperative in helping 911 callers, so police are sent to the area where they are needed.
However, he said that this dispatcher "dropped the ball" on this particular case because she did not keep a frantic Berry on the line until police arrived, and failed to be more compassionate or sympathetic to the woman who had been held in captivity for nearly a decade.
Flask also added that the dispatcher, who has worked in the position for four years, may have been unfamiliar with Berry's case.
He hailed other aspects of the call, including the fact that a police dispatch arrived at the house on Seymour Avenue only a minute and a half after Berry placed the call.
- NYDN
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