NEWPORT — Security is nothing new to Tim Scott, the recently named director of the new Campbell County combined emergency dispatch center, because he's worked with secure facilities for years as a law enforcement expert with the Air Force.

        “Recent events make security a real priority at a center like this,” Mr. Scott said.

        The center, which replaces three separate dispatch facilities now operated by the county, Newport and Fort Thomas, will have 21 dispatchers, seven on each eight-hour shift, and one of the seven will be a shift supervisor.

        “Having the dispatch center in the Newport government center and in the same area as the police department helps in making the facility secure.”

        Mr. Scott is returning home for his job here, retiring after 27 years with the Air Force in the United States and abroad. He's a native of Oakley and a graduate of Withrow High School.

        Although the new combined dispatch center won't open until next summer, Mr. Scott has plenty to occupy his time, including purchase and placement of all new dispatching equipment and selection and assignment of personnel.

        “First, I'm examining the entire area where the center will be located, in the lower level of the building,” he said. “We'll begin arranging for the placement of the equipment soon, and we'll have to determine how much space we need and where everything will go.”

        Mr. Scott, who retired from the Air Force as a chief master sergeant, entered the military in 1974 just after high school graduation. Among his many assignments were stints at nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio; Kunsan Air Base in Korea; Zweibrucken Air Base in Germany; and his last post, at the air base in Minot, N.D.

        He worked variously as a law enforcement officer, desk sergeant, flight chief and trainer. While in Germany, he served as the first sergeant in both services and civil engineering organizations.

        At Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, he held three management positions — including operations, training and resources, and administration and reports — during a six-year assignment there.

        At Minot, he served as security forces manager for a 390-person organization, and during his time there his unit was recognized as the best large security forces squadron in Air Combat Command in both 1996 and 1998.

        Mr. Scott is the recipient of three Meritorious Service medals, two Air For Commendation medals, an Air Force Achievement medal, and numerous other military and civilian awards. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminology, magna cum laude, from Saint Leo (Fla.) College, and a master's degree in general administration from Central Michigan University.

        “I believe in a strong organization and strong discipline. And I believe if you take care of the people working with you and support a good working environment, you have good organization and discipline,” he said. “This is something I saw in my years in the Air Force.”

        Newport Police Chief Tom Fromme, who is also chairman of the dispatch board that makes policy and controls the center, said he was pleased with Mr. Scott's selection.

        “I think he's the kind of person who knows how to work with people and knows the chain of command from his military background,” Chief Fromme said. “In many ways, we operate as a para-military organization. We're fortunate to have someone with his background and expertise in both management and law enforcement.”

        Mr. Scott said he has begun to look for an assistant director, “someone with a more technical background who can keep a close check on the mechanical and technical aspects of the center.”

        “We hope that all the civilian dispatchers working in Newport and the county will want to stay and will apply,” he said. “We want as many people as possible with county experience.”

        Although Mr. Scott will be involved in the selection of dispatch personnel, he emphasized that “the authority for all hiring and firing stays with the board.”

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