AGO Opinion Topics: CENTRAL DISPATCH

1.Communications between 911 Central Dispatch and law enforcement or fire personnel are generally not "private communications" under RCW 9.73.030, but in isolated cases could be "private."2.When a communication to 911 Central Dispatch from a citizen is interrupted or incomplete, a return call from Central Dispatch to the citizen to obtain further information may be recorded without the consent of all parties to the call.3.RCW 9.73.030(2) permits the recording of a communication from 911 Central Dispatch to a private citizen to warn of imminent danger such as fire, prowlers, or other criminal activity, if one party to the communication consents to the recording.