The PSAPs’ Finest Awards recognize the people who make emergency communications work. Among the most critical roles in this profession is that of the trainer. Trainers shape the next generation of telecommunicators, instill confidence, and prepare them to succeed in one of the most demanding jobs imaginable. The Trainer of the Year Award celebrates a professional whose dedication, patience, and leadership leave a lasting impact on both trainees and their center.
This year, the award goes to Dustin Bennefield, Communications Training Officer with the Emergency Communications Division of the St. Petersburg Police Department in Florida.
In just over four years with the department, Dustin has become an indispensable member of the team. What sets him apart isn’t just his technical knowledge, but his ability to guide others with compassion and patience. As a Communications Training Officer, he trains in all areas of operations and has earned the respect of both trainees and supervisors alike. He provides clear direction while allowing others the space to learn, grow, and succeed on their own.
Dustin’s impact stretches far beyond training. He is a professional who can be relied upon wherever he is needed. During a Hurricane Activation, he worked alongside patrol supervisors in the Sub EOC, managing multiple radio channels and an array of critical tasks — many of which were new to him. Even under enormous pressure, Dustin remained calm, flexible, and professional, ensuring the mission continued without interruption.
His commitment to excellence is evident in every measure. Over the past year, Dustin’s monthly call assessments consistently exceeded expectations, including three perfect 100% reviews. On the midnight shift, when staffing is lean and supervisors often work alone, he proves himself to be a steady, reliable partner — assisting with difficult calls, answering supervisor lines, and providing support whenever it’s needed most.
Dustin is a role model to his peers, a trusted coach to his trainees, and a dependable leader in both calm and crisis. For his skill, dedication, and ability to elevate everyone around him, we are proud to honor him with this award.
Recently, we had the opportunity to talk with Dustin about his career and what being named the 2025 PSAPs’ Finest Trainer of the Year means to him.
What attracted you to a career in public safety /911 emergency communications? Dustin: I was attracted to the idea of helping people quickly and with as much empathy and tact as the profession requires.
What is your most memorable career experience? Dustin: Honestly there are a lot of memorable experiences but the easiest one to pinpoint would be my transfer five years ago from a small South Georgia agency with about 9 telecommunicators (serving approximately 5,000 citizens) to the St Pete Police department where we have several dozen operators and a much larger city to manage. It felt like jumping into the deep end but I'll never forget my first busy day.
What do you love most about what you do? Dustin: The thing I love most about this job are the small conversations I have with citizens where they are just needing everyday help and information, something like directions or ordinance information. It's a nice juxtaposition to the more excited callers.
What advice would you have for others thinking about a similar career path? Dustin: The advice I would give to others looking to start this career is to take it one day at a time and to remember to leave the work problems at work when you leave for the day. The stress can stack up if you carry it with you.
What does it mean to be recognized with a PSAPs’ Finest Award? Dustin: I like to think that the recognition is just a small part of why I do this job. I don't expect any praise or confirmation that I am doing the right thing; I do it for the ones who need my help.
About the PSAPs’ Finest Awards
PSAPs’ Finest is an annual recognition program honoring excellence in emergency communications centers (ECCs). The awards celebrate individual and team achievements each year across categories including: Lifetime Achievement, Above & Beyond, Communications Center Director/Manager, Line Supervisor, Technician, Trainer, Telecommunicator, Innovator, and PSAP of the Year. More information can be found at https://www.nicepublicsafety.com/psaps-finest-awards.
