Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) Colonel Kurt Sager visited the MHP Communications Center today to recognize the vital work of dispatchers in honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed from April 13 to 19.
The dispatchers at the MHP Communications Center are trained in emergency medical dispatch and work around the clock—24 hours a day, seven days a week—to handle both emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatching state troopers and law enforcement officers to ensure the safety of Montanans and visitors across the state.
“Dispatchers are often the first voice Montanans hear in times of crisis. They provide calm and critical support during some of life’s most challenging moments,” said Attorney General Knudsen. “I am proud of their excellent work and the way they handle stressful situations, which ultimately helps protect everyone in our state.”
Colonel Sager echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the crucial role dispatchers play in the MHP’s mission to keep Montana’s roads and highways safe. “Our dispatchers are integral to our ability to serve the public. Without their dedication, our troopers would not be able to do their jobs effectively in the field,” Sager said.
So far this year, MHP dispatchers have answered 29,685 incoming calls, averaging 297 calls per day. Last year, they responded to 110,140 calls, with an average of 9,178 calls per month. In 2024, the communications center received a total of 162,177 calls for service, including calls initiated by troopers in the field.
The MHP Communications Center serves multiple agencies, including MHP, Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP), the Department of Transportation’s Motor Carrier Services, and the Department of Corrections’ Probation and Parole. In addition to these responsibilities, the center collaborates with all 56 Montana counties, local police departments, and the Department of Transportation. MHP dispatchers also occasionally provide support for agencies such as the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, VA Police, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
By: DNU staff