Hardee County Sheriff's Office

Communications Division

Central Dispatch is responsible for answering  all 911 calls coming into the county, all calls requesting Law Enforcement response
and all administrative calls for the Sheriff's Office

     This division is housed and budgeted by the Hardee County Sheriff's Office.

    The Hardee County Sheriff's Office Communications Division is staffed 24 hours a day and is the primary communications center for E-911, Sheriff's Office, Wauchula Police Department, Bowling Green Police Department, Zolfo Springs Police Department.  The Communications center receives emergency and non-emergency telephone calls, radio communications, Federal and State alerts, weather alerts and FCIC/NCIC teletypes.

32,622 Calls for Service
Oct. 2008 - Sept. 2009

10,872 - 911 calls received - 7,326 of these were from Cell Phones
2,225 or 20.5% of 911 calls are transferred to Polk Communications Center for Fire/EMS
 

These were calls where service was requested and a call was generated. Administrative calls, call for service for other agencies (animal control, road & bridge, FHP) and calls requesting information are not included in these totals.

Radios are the primary source of communications when dispatching calls, relaying updates and receiving/responding to requests generated by Law Enforcement.  Our radios are capable of direct communications with outside Agencies when joint operations are undertaken.  Sheriff's Office patrol vehicles are equipped with laptops; these units can receive/review calls for service and information can be exchanged without voice communications, a recognized and valuable aid to communications.

Our center is staffed by dedicated individuals who are here for the community 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are also working holidays, there to answer the call of those in need.

  When the public calls for assistance they have the expectation that their call will be handled in a professional and expedient manner, regardless of where they are in Hardee County.  Our goal is to serve the public to the best of our ability and to ensure the safety of the Citizens of Hardee County.

     Calling 911

What is an emergency?

An emergency is the immediate threat to life and/or property. This would include a crime in progress and any kind of fire or a serious illness or injury.

What should I expect when I call 911?

You will be asked a number of questions. These questions are very important. Stay calm, listen to the questions the dispatcher asks you and answer all of the questions. Do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to.

What questions will I be asked?

Where? - Where is the incident taking place? Where do you need an officer? Where are you, where are the suspects?

What? - What kind of incident are reporting? What was taken? What is going on now? What kind of vehicle were they in and which way did it go?

Who? - Who is involved in the incident? Can you describe the subjects.

When? - When did the incident happen? Is it in progress or did it happen yesterday?

Call back number? - What telephone number can you be reached at if we get disconnected and need to call you back for more information?

As soon as the dispatcher gets the answers to these questions, the appropriate emergency personnel will be dispatched. DO NOT HANG UP THE PHONE UNLESS THE DISPATCHER TELLS YOU  TO DO SO OR IF YOU ARE IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. The dispatcher may need more information from you. You are the eyes and ears of the emergency personnel who are responding. What you can see and hear is important to them.

What number do I call if it is not an emergency?

Dispatch - (863) 773-4144
Administration -  (863) 773-0304
Jail Information - (863) 767-9042

For any additional information please contact Hilda Norman at 863-773-0304 xt.247 or email to hnorman@hardeeso.com.