Lucy Zamora, Communications Officer
Employee of the Month for Sunny Isles Beach Police Department
By Lynda Peeler

Who is it that answers the phone at the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department when you call in distress or needing help? It gives me pleasure to introduce to you the face behind the voice, Mrs. Lucy Zamora. This Officer is that very special person. "She is professional, sensitive, compassionate and efficient," Chief Mass appreciatively explains. You may have experienced her ability to calm you while asking for important information the police will need to come to your aid.

One of the most demanding and important jobs within any police department is the Communications Officer also known as the "Dispatcher". The role of this dispatcher is to quickly yet efficiently gather as much information as possible and to pass it on to the responding officer. Time is of the essence and many times the callers are frantic or terrified or so emotionally shaken that they cannot effectively communicate to the dispatcher. Sometimes they cannot even remember their own address or phone number.

This is where the trained and highly sensitive personality of the dispatcher comes into play. They must first calm the person down in order to obtain all the information they can. When a crime is committed Lucy gives as much of a description of direction as she can obtain to assist officers to the location. Her composure helps her in her role.

Recently, Lucy returned from maternity leave after giving birth to baby Anthony, now 8 months old. Chief Maas says, "We are delighted that Lucy came back as that is surely a difficult choice for a mother to make, especially with a new child at home." Lucy also has a beautiful daughter Yasmin who is eleven and about to enter 5th grade. Lucy's children are the love of her life but a close second is her love of helping people. She is able to do this through her job as dispatcher.

Lucy has been instrumental in the training and development of new dispatchers. This personal touch has greater meaning than it appears. If the name Zamora is at all familiar, it could be because her husband is one of the department's police officers, and her father-in-law is one of the original Sunny Isles Police officers. Lucy has a vested interest in being assured that even in her absence the dispatchers will take their jobs as seriously as she - her family member's lives depend on it.

Lucy, we thank you for your caring and effective service and congratulate you on receiving this honor as Employee of the Month for Sunny Isles Police Department.


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