The PSAPs’ Finest Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for those whose careers have left an indelible mark on the field of public safety communications — individuals whose dedication, leadership, and impact span decades, shaping not only the people they work with but the entire profession.
This year’s PSAPs’ Finest Lifetime Achievement distinction was awarded to J. Barbara Harper, Administrative Training Dispatcher with the Cleveland Division of Police, Bureau of Communications and Property Control in Cleveland, Ohio.
Barbara Harper began her career as a Police Radio Dispatcher in August of 1993, and for over 30 years, she has exemplified professionalism, dedication, and leadership. Since taking the helm of the training department in 2006, she has trained 180 new dispatchers and call takers — 63 of whom are still serving with Cleveland Police Radio, and nine of whom have gone on to become Cleveland Police Officers. Her influence reaches beyond her department, as she helped launch a dispatch training program at Cuyahoga Community College, shaping the next generation of public safety professionals and addressing critical workforce shortages.
Barbara’s career is distinguished not only by its longevity but by the countless high-profile events and incidents she has helped manage. From the Northeast Blackout of 2003 to NBA and World Series celebrations, the 2016 Republican National Convention, large protests, and the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Barbara has been at the center of planning, coordinating, and ensuring operational excellence. Her leadership during these events reflects her skill, intelligence, and unwavering calm under pressure.
In her role as Administrative Training Dispatcher, Barbara ensures that every dispatcher and call taker is fully prepared to handle any situation with skill and confidence. She has served as a mentor, planner, trainer, and dispatcher — a true pillar of the Cleveland Division of Police. Her dedication has been recognized throughout the department, earning accolades from the highest-ranking officers, yet despite her eligibility for retirement, she continues to serve with the same passion and commitment as ever.
Barbara Harper embodies the very essence of a lifetime of service: excellence, leadership, mentorship, and an unwavering dedication to public safety. Her work has shaped generations of dispatchers, strengthened her community, and set a standard for professionalism that inspires all who follow in her footsteps.
Recently I had an opportunity to talk to her about what she loves most about her work and what being recognized as the 2025 PSAPs’ Finest Lifetime Achievement award recipient means to her.
What attracted you to a career in public safety /911 emergency communications? Barbara: In all honesty, I was brand new to Ohio and in need of a job. My husband, at the time, was about to graduate from the Police Academy after a 12-year career with the Air Force. Cleveland is his childhood home. My brother-in-law advised me that the city was currently hiring Dispatchers and that I should apply, so I did. Thirty-two years later, I’m still here.
What is your most memorable career experience? Barbara: Being involved in the 2016 RNC and Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade ranks fairly high for me. I was really proud of how Cleveland handled both major events in the same year. I represented the Dispatch Center in our Emergency Operations Center for both events and made some lasting bonds with our Public Safety partners.
What do you love most about what you do? Barbara: The fact that I can teach others about this job, share my experiences, and see the lightbulbs shine really brightly when everything comes together for students is an absolute joy for me. I love to see my former students go on to become trainers for the newbies, sometimes just within a couple of years of them being the newbies. The ‘family’ feeling is so real and when I see some of my ‘kids’ form a ‘Radio family,’ it truly makes me smile. The last group of trainees I had in March of this year just took a trip to Vegas recently and did some pretty epic things. I tell them all the time that they make me so proud to see how they are there for each other, on and outside of the job.
What advice would you have for others thinking about a similar career path? Barbara: In this day and age, I would suggest that they try to resist the urge of Googling this career. There are so many untruths out there mixed in with the truths. I would suggest that they visit Comm Centers in their areas and ask to shadow an established Dispatcher. Don’t rely on what the media says, go and see for yourself to be able to make a more informed decision on whether this career is a good fit for you. Listen to the local scanner and get a feel for how the Dispatchers communicate with the responders. Get an idea of the types of calls that are received, and get familiar with the lingo used. Also be prepared to be a LIFELINE to people who may even be your family member. And lastly, always expect the unexpected.
What does it mean to be recognized with a PSAPs’ Finest Award? Barbara: This recognition means the world to me, and I could not be more grateful and humbled. I remember telling my Deputy Chief sometime early last year that I do not need him to thank me for what I’ve done over the years. I unequivocally know that I am still here at this job because it doesn’t feel like a job to me. I absolutely love to teach, and one hundred percent believe that when you love what you do for work, it never feels like a job. That being said, having such an outpouring of support, congratulations, and ‘thank you’s’ from lots of people I already know (and so many more from those I have never met) has me saying that my cup has overflowed and my heart is FULL. I thank Deborah Corrigan for nominating me and I thank everyone at NiCE Public Safety for this honor. I will never forget this!
About the PSAPs’ Finest Awards PSAPs’ Finest is a recognition program for emergency communications center (ECC) professionals. The awards recognize individual and team standouts annually in the following categories: Lifetime Achievement, Above & Beyond, Communications Center Director/Manager, Line Supervisor, Technician, Trainer, Telecommunicator, Innovator, and PSAP of the Year. Know someone you’d like to nominate for a PSAPs’ Finest award? Nominations for the 2026 PSAPs’ Finest Awards will open in January 2026. For more information please visit the PSAPs' Finest website or email us at PSInfo@NiCE.com.
