Police Assistants(PAs) perform a variety of functions within the police department. PAs can be assigned to work in either the Dispatch Center or the Jail on 1 of 4, 12-hour shifts.

PAs assigned to the Dispatch Center must successfully complete a state certified dispatcher training course within one year of their hire date. PAs also receive continuous dispatch training throughout their career.

Utilizing the latest in Law Enforcement Communications technology, PAs are able to monitor security in and around the police station, communicate with Officers in the field, and answer both emergency and non-emergency calls for service. Using a multi-view computerized video monitoring system, PAs are responsible for monitoring various entry and exits points to the station as well as the jail, and the secured evidence storage room.

PAs maintain communication with Officers in the field via radio and Mobile Data Terminals (M.D.T.). Using a touch screen-capable computerized radio system, PAs are able to maintain voice contact with Officers in the field, as well as perform other control functions within the station. Mobile Data Terminals allow Officers in the field to run license plates, driver’s licenses, and warrant checks. The M.D.T.s also allow Officer-to-Officer and Officer-to-Dispatch communication.

Emergency and non-emergency calls for service are received and answered on a computerized telephone system. This system also allows for multiple speed dial entries as well as a TTY system for the hearing impaired. Calls are assessed and dispatched by their priority. All calls for service are logged into the Computer Aided Dispatch terminal (C.A.D.).

PAs are also responsible for entering all major incident and crime reports into the Records Management System (R.M.S.). R.M.S. is used to keep track of all case files and provide crime statistics to the Department of Justice.

PAs assigned to the Jail must complete a state certified jailer training course. Some of the duties of the PA assigned to the jail are: Searching, fingerprinting, transporting prisoners, maintaining prisoner health and safety, and maintaining the jail facilities. When there are no prisoners in custody, PAs are assigned to parking enforcement, the front counter, crossing guard detail, and other duties as deemed necessary by the on-duty Watch Commander.

PAs must learn how to operate the Livescan computerized booking/fingerprinting machine and the Datamaster cdm, "Breathalyzer" machine. All prisoners not released from the station are transported to Pasadena City Jail or Los Angeles County Jail for housing.

Police Assistants serve as a vital link to many services provided by the South Pasadena Police Department.