Members of the Sumner Police Department work to serve and protect, but before an officer can respond to a crime scene there is a crucial step.

The 911 dispatch center receives the often-frantic calls from the public and its employees have the daunting task of collecting and relaying it to the officers.

At the April 6 Sumner City Council meeting, Police Chief John Galle spoke regarding National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

The nationally acknowledged event began Monday and recognizes the work of dispatchers who join with not only police, but other emergency services to respond to the needs of the community.