Pocatello Dispatch Center reaccredited, honors Legacy Award winner
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POCATELLO — The Pocatello Dispatch Center has once again earned top honors in emergency communications, achieving reaccreditation as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) in medical dispatching and celebrating one of its own, Stephanie Harris, for receiving the prestigious Legacy Award at the 12th Annual Idaho PSAP Conference.
According to Lt. Josh Hancock, Community Services, of the Pocatello Police Department, the Pocatello Dispatch Center is the 306th dispatch center in the world to earn ACE distinction and remains the only ACE center in the state of Idaho. After initially achieving accreditation in 2022, the center has continued to uphold the highest standards of service and professionalism, leading to this prestigious reaccreditation.
The International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED), the global standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services, grants ACE status as its highest distinction. This recognition certifies that the center is performing at or above industry standards, with proven local oversight, rigorous quality processes, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
“This achievement highlights the incredible dedication of the men and women of the Pocatello Dispatch Center, who ensure that every call for help is answered with skill, accuracy, and compassion,” Hancock said in a press release to EastIdahoNews.com.
Adding to the center’s success, longtime dispatch professional Stephanie Harris received the Legacy Award for her remarkable contributions to public safety communications in Idaho.
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Harris began her career in law enforcement with the Pocatello Police Department in 2002, setting the stage for what would become a lifelong commitment to public safety and a never-ending supply of coffee.
In 2008, she discovered her true calling — teaching — when she joined the Idaho POST Academy. Since then, she has taught at more than 35 academies and in-service trainings, shaping the bright-eyed beginnings of hundreds of “baby dispatchers” and rookie officers across the state.
Her classes are known for being both informative and refreshingly real, thanks to her blend of practical knowledge and “been-there-done-that” experience.
Despite transferring to the City of Pocatello Human Resources Department in 2023, she continues to teach instructor development and actively collaborates on Field Training Officer programs.
She also served on the PSAP Committee for several years, helping to pass critical legislation that continues to benefit dispatchers throughout Idaho. It’s safe to say Harris’s fingerprints are all over Idaho’s public safety landscape.
According to Hancock, Harris’s impact is long-lasting, with many emergency communications officers still quoting her wisdom — and maybe a few of her jokes — long after training ends.
“Whether in the field, the classroom, or HR headquarters, Stephanie Harris has left a legacy of learning, leadership, and just the right amount of sass,” he said.
The reaccreditation and Harris’s recognition reflect the Pocatello community’s deep commitment to excellence in emergency response and public service.