NCJ Number
192815
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2002 Pages: 40,42-44,45
Date Published
January 2002
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Comm center call-takers are finally getting specially designed workstations that keep them comfortable and productive.
Abstract
Many police comm centers today are being retrofitted and there is a greater emphasis on ergonomics in the design of new centers. The goal of ergonomics is to design jobs to fit people. In the case of comm centers, it means considering seating, workstations, monitor height, keyboard height, lighting, and ambient controls. It is important that comm center furniture is designed for comm center work. The center is a 24-7 environment, and office furniture was not designed to hold up under that kind of use. One vendor's line can adjust from 52 inches high to 26 inches, and up to nine settings for individual dispatchers can be programmed into each workstation. At the start of their shifts, dispatchers enter their dispatch numbers and the workstation moves to the preprogrammed height set just for them. Most comm center furniture offers a sit/stand capability, power-assist adjustments, and ergonomic accessories that can be integrated with other systems. In addition, the user can adjust airflow, radiant heat and lighting, and mask sound through the use of white noise. Figure