Communications is staffed with eleven Public Safety Dispatchers and is supervised by a Police Support Services Manager who oversees the day-to-day operations of the unit.

Public Safety Dispatchers receive and process all emergency and non-emergency telephone calls for service. In 2021, the Communications Division received over 63,933 emergency and non-emergency phone calls from the community while handling radio transmissions and documentation for 31,958 Police events. Communications personnel dispatch police resources to calls for service and track the progress of the calls using a Computer-Aided Dispatch system. Dispatchers initiate the response of the Alameda County Fire Department and an ambulance service for medical aid calls received. Communications personnel constantly update the status of officers in the field.

Communications personnel update information in statewide and nationwide computer systems regarding the status of warrants, stolen vehicles, stolen property, and missing persons as the status is changed by the actions of the police officers in the field.

Public Safety Dispatchers handle requests from police patrol units and other specialized units. Communications personnel also coordinate emergency and non-emergency information with other law enforcement agencies.

Newark Police Department Communications personnel are cross-trained in police dispatch and 9-1-1 telephone operations, as well as non-emergency telephone operations. Some Dispatchers have received additional training as Tactical Dispatchers to support the S.W.A.T. and Hostage Negotiations Teams.