Palm Springs PD Dispatcher Responds To Those In Need Every Day

Heather Topliff has always had a “teacher takes charge” attitude. A Coachella Valley resident since the 1980s, Topliff found her calling when she became a dispatcher for the Palm Springs Police Department in 2001. Every day, she gets an opportunity to exercise that take-charge approach by fielding emergency and non-emergency calls to send much-needed help throughout the Palm Springs community.

Over her two decades serving the people of Palm Springs, Topliff has become involved in numerous local and broader industry organizations, including APCO International, California CLETS Users Group (CCUG), California Law Enforcement Association of Records Supervisors (CLEARS) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).

We interviewed Topliff for an inside look at her work with the PSPD, what she wants local residents to know about their police department and why she loves being a part of the Palm Springs community.

Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

Patch: What made you decide to get more involved in helping your local community as a police dispatcher?

Topliff: Originally I wanted to make more money and helping the citizens was an incentive. Once I started, I knew it was for me!

Patch: You’ve been working with the PSPD for over 20 years. What are you most proud of in your day-to-day work as a dispatcher?

Topliff: All the PSPD Dispatchers have received recognition awards from the State twice. That’s not what means the most to me though. The little victories are triumphs for me: Policy changes. Schedule changes. Mentoring successes. A successful outcome on a 911 call. Increasing the allotment for dispatchers. Increasing probation period to decrease turnover.

Patch: What do you find most fulfilling about working with the Palm Springs community?

Topliff: Most of my community involvement is behind the scenes and on the phones handling emergency and non-emergency calls. I love to change a citizen’s bad day to a better day. I like to offer and send help. People are pleasant when you have empathy. I like to guide my dispatchers to that path.

Patch: What's one thing you would like the Palm Springs community to know about contacting and getting involved with their local police department?

Topliff: Everything can be done online now — reports, complaints, emails, etc. You can also attend a 12-week (once-a-week) Community Police Academy class that teaches the citizens all about every department in Palm Springs. But, please still call if you have an in-progress crime or emergency.

Patch: What do you love most about being a part of the Palm Springs community?

Topliff: I love that they love us!

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