The Whitesboro Police Department has hired Whitesboro native Rachael Turner as a new dispatcher. The position became available after longtime dispatcher Curlen Barger was promoted to an administrative role.
With this new hire, the Whitesboro Police Department currently consists of eight officers, one security night watchman, six dispatchers and one police department administrative assistant.
After graduating from Whitesboro High School in 2023, Turner wasn’t quite sure what her next steps would be.
“I was kind of waiting it out to see what to do,” she said.
When she saw a job opening at Whitesboro dispatch, she decided to go for it. After all, law enforcement runs in her family. Her grandfather was the Whitesboro Police Chief in the 1990s, and her father worked as a police officer in Collinsville.
Despite the family connection, Turner never had any previous dispatch experience.
“It was pretty new to me, but I loved the idea of having a purpose,” Turner said. “My passion is to be a help to people and to be a good servant. This job seemed like the perfect fit.”
Turner underwent a lengthy interview process, lasting from April to June. She first had to sit in with current dispatchers to see firsthand what the job would entail. Then, she underwent a psychiatric evaluation and, finally, a panel interview with dispatchers and police staff.
Turner was hired on June 21 and works four days a week. She began working the night shift and has climbed the ladder to day shift.
“Day shift handles more medical calls and public assist calls. Night calls can be scarier – traffic accidents, domestic issues, things like that,” Turner said. “When I first started the job, I went in a little scared and naïve. I didn’t want to answer the calls because I didn’t know what was waiting for me on the other end of the line. Now I’m excited when the phone rings.”
According to Turner, there are two main challenges she faces as a dispatcher. First is the anticipation of never knowing what’s going to come in on a phone call. Second is the lack of closure after dispatching first responders to a scene.
“We rarely know how a situation ends, and that’s hard,” Turner said. “You feel invested. It’s especially true when you answer a call and realize you know the person on the other end of the line. But you have to maintain professionalism and separate your personal feelings from the situation that’s happening.”
As the youngest member of the Whitesboro law enforcement team, Turner wasn’t sure how she would be treated by her co-workers. There was no need for concern.
“I love my co-workers,” Turner said. “Everyone’s been rally nice and so welcoming.”
Turner’s family has never pressed her to follow in their footsteps but is really proud of the profession she’s chosen.
“My family has always supported me in whatever I do,” Turner said. “I’d love to pursue this as a career and stay in law.”
Turner is looking forward to several training opportunities available to her, with online and in-person classes she can attend that will open opportunities for her to improve and advance.
“I’ve always hoped to find a job in Whitesboro,” Turner said. “I’m so excited to have found this one.”