February 3, 2005

East Lansing. Michigan State Police Director Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant is pleased to announce the department will keep its seven regional dispatch centers open by reassigning several positions and reducing staffing at three of the centers.

The department was previously considering a plan that would have consolidated dispatch centers in the First (East Lansing), Third (Bridgeport), Fifth (Paw Paw) and Seventh (Gaylord) districts into one large dispatch center based in East Lansing. The need to consolidate the centers was prompted by a $430,000 reduction in the budget line that funds the department’s dispatch centers during the current fiscal year.

"By carefully reviewing dispatch center operations, the department was able to develop a cost-saving plan that greatly reduces the impact on our dispatchers," Sturdivant said. "Our patience was rewarded when a plan emerged that allowed the department to keep all the centers open and preserve this valuable regional service."

The needed cost savings was realized through a combination of tactics, which included eliminating vacant positions, reassigning some positions and finding alternate funding for one position. Despite these creative measures, there is the potential for two employee layoffs beginning next fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2005) at the Third District Dispatch Center. Both of these employees have been offered voluntary transfers to other dispatch centers.

In order to run the centers with a reduction in staff, the tasks dispatchers perform will be reviewed and non-essential tasks will be eliminated.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Shanon Akans, Public Affairs Section, (517) 336-6364

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