Dec 31st, 2020
The Mobile Police Department recognizes Kirby Briggs as the Civilian Employee of the Month for November 2020. Briggs began her employment with the department eight years ago and currently serves as a public safety dispatcher in the Communications Unit. She is praised for going above and beyond what is expected of her to make an elderly caller feel heard and validated.
On November 14, 2020, Briggs’ supervisor recalls the phone ringing at 7:02 p.m. On the other end, it was an elderly caller who requested to speak to Briggs’ supervisor. The caller began to talk about how she had ongoing problems with her neighbors possibly selling drugs and playing loud music.
The caller stated that she was afraid at times when she called about the neighbors because they saw her close her doors and windows, and she knew eventually they would figure out it was her calling the police. No one should be afraid in their own home, Briggs’ supervisor thought.
The caller went on to say that she called often because of the ongoing problems and she was sure she was an inconvenience and a nuisance. The caller explained that she lived alone and was lonely at times and wanted to talk to someone so that she could vent her frustrations about the declining conditions in her neighborhood.
Each time she called, the caller said she was treated nicely. But on the day she spoke to Briggs, the experience was different. She said Briggs treated her with the utmost respect and took time to listen to her. She felt heard and validated.
The caller said Briggs didn’t have to spend as much time with her as she did but she so kind, emphatic and listened intently. Briggs created a close patrol for the elderly caller as a way to make her feel safer.
MOBILE POLICE DEPARTMENT