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Gloria Allen was hired on May 5, 1975 as a PBX Operator at the Jackson Police Department.  At the time the PBX Operation was attached to Central Dispatch and later in her career Mrs. Allen was crossed trained as a PBX Operator and a Dispatcher. 

In 1994, Mrs. Allen became a Dispatcher Shift Superviser and maintained that position until 2002 when Chief of Police Rick Staples and the Chief of Fire Department Kenneth Lay recommended Mrs. Allen as the Director of Central Dispatch.  She took over as the Director July 20, 2002.  Mrs. Allen remained the Director of Central Dispatch until her retirement February 9, 2008. 

Director Allen received numerous letters of personal commendation and thank yous for her hard work and willingness to volunteer her time to different organizations fundraising events.  She was also selected by her peers and co-workers as the Employee of the Month during the month of April 1991.  Director Allen was described by her supervisors as doing a very good job and that she was a very dependable and knowledgeable about her job. 

During Director Allen's tenure she received over 30 hours of Incident Command System training from both FEMA and TEMA.  She also received training in TIES/NCIC/NLETS to become an instructor and Director Allen taught dispatchers and sworn personnel in these areas of instruction so they could receive their basic certifications. 

Since her retirement, Director Allen enjoys her hobbies of gardening and sewing when she isn't taking care of her aging mother.