Jasper County creates communications center director position

In preparation for Lt. Brad Shutts’ successful and uncontested election for county sheriff this coming November, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 on Sept. 10 to create a permanent full-time position for a communications center director, which would be a civilian position for the sheriff’s office.

Dennis Simon, director of human resources for Jasper County, said Shutts handles most of the communications duties, and with his new role as sheriff he will have additional responsibilities. Shutts said the communications center director would fulfill his current duties as he makes his transition to sheriff.

“So this would take my position and be able to cover some of those shifts and fulfill the day-to-day duties that I do now to an extent,” Shutts said.

Jasper County Communications Division serves as the communications hub for the county’s law enforcement agencies. The division operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. According to the county’s website, the division provides 911 and emergency dispatching services for 17 agencies within the county.

It also has access to the National Criminal Justice Information System and the National Crime Information Center. But perhaps what it is best known for is being the primary dispatch point for all county law enforcement, fire, medical and emergency management services.

In 2022, the communications division dispatch assigned 38,318 calls for services.