By Mike Kinney
After 33 years with the Richmond Police Department’s Communications Center, Dispatcher III Laura Canelo-Tirado completed her last shift this week ahead of her planned retirement in January, the department said.
Over her career, she handled about 500,000 emergency calls, becoming a familiar and steady voice for people in crisis.
Canelo-Tirado took on a number of roles over the years, from training new dispatchers to supporting specialized units like the Special Response Team and the Crisis Negotiations Team, helping shape how the center operates.
Department officials said she was known for her strong work ethic and calm professionalism, especially during major incidents and unexpected call-outs.
Earlier this year, she earned the title of Dispatcher of the Year at the Kiwanis Club of Richmond’s Public Safety Awards Dinner.
The Richmond Police Department thanked her for decades of service and noted the difference her work made for both the department and the community.