By Linda Stinnett

 

With the transition from local dispatching to Sedgwick County 911, there was fear that customer service could suffer with the Derby Police Department.

One of the former local dispatchers is working to put those fears to rest and following a long-time dream  to be a law enforcement officer.

Marissa Wood began her duties as station officer at the police department on Monday. The former dispatch area has been remodeled to serve as an information desk and a newly expanded records section for the department.

“It’s a very inviting atmosphere. It looks good,” she said.

Wood will meet the people who go to the station to meet with an officer, turn in evidence, ask about the status of a case, seek fingerprints and the many other duties other officers perform. It will save time and frustration for people who previously had to wait for an officer to return to the station and will keep those officers on the street.

She will serve as bailiff during municipal court, counsel those who need police advice, perform car seat safety training,  and spend as much time as possible phoning people with warrants and asking them to turn themselves in.

“Her plate will be pretty full,” said Chief Robert Lee. “It is a huge step forward in customer service for the Derby Police Department.”

Wood will work Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Her responsibility is not any less than any other officer. She has completed the 14-week certification process through the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and gone through field training with local officers. She can make arrests and she has the same authority as any officer on the street, Lee said. 

Wood began working for the police department in October 2002. She left for a year, but returned in 2008 and served as the dispatch training officer. 

The dream of working as an officer was always in the back of her mind, she said. 

“I tried over the years to pay attention to what goes on around here,” she said.

She was patient, though, primarily because her children were small and she needed to wait until day care was not an issue. They are now 16, 11, 8 and 6. 

Wood is excited about her career move. 

“It’s learning all new things,” she said. “It’s something where I can be continually busy.”

Her background suits the customer service which she said she believes will benefit the department. Her college hours – just short of a degree – are dedicated to public relations and advertising, she said.

It all started when she began working in her family’s restaurant – the Mulvane Dairy King.

“I’ve worked customer service since I was 10 years old,” she said. “I thought this was just one more way to broaden my customer service.”

 

User Comments

• Dispatcher with WSU

  "This is awesome! Way to go Marissa! you will be wonderful in this position and Derby citizens are blessed to have you!"

  Posted by Sharla on Jan. 26, 2012

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