Trainer Returns TO KCPD And Her Passion For Helping Others

Image of Valerie Ratterman

Valerie Ratterman loved being a call taker at KCPD in the early 90s, but her family was young and growing so she walked away.

Eventually, she became a preschool teacher and moved to Raytown, just a block from the Kansas City limits. Ratterman wanted to return to KCPD, but not living within the boundary prevented that.

“This job was always the one that made me feel like I was the most personally satisfied,” Ratterman said. “I was very proud of what I did.”

When residency requirements changed in 2022, Ratterman did, in fact, return. Since returning, Ratterman has noticed the increase in mental health calls, as well as the resources now made available to callers. She’s also seen how callers sometimes use 911 as a tool or threat, which ties up the lines.

“They’ll tell the person they’re arguing with, ‘I’ve got 911 on the phone!,’” Ratterman explained. “When the person being threatened leaves and they’re done with us, they hang up. They’re initiating a conversation, but not completing it. It happens a lot.”

As a trainer in the Communications Unit, Ratterman is responsible for teaching new employees how to help callers. That comes easy to her, given the joy she gets from the job itself.

“I like the variety,” Ratterman said. “I like the personal connection with people. I try to be the calm voice in the chaos and try to make everything okay, give people reassurance that we’re going to help the situation.”

Interested in being a call taker or dispatcher? Dispatchers begin as call takers at KCPD. Apply here.