Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Wednesday that they placed a 911 dispatcher on administrative leave Monday due to an inappropriate response to a whispered 911 call coming from inside the Jefferson Avenue Tops Saturday during the tragic mass shooting.
Poloncarz said that the 911 dispatcher acted "totally inappropriate" and provided a "completely wrong response" and asked the caller why they were whispering. According to Poloncarz, the call came from inside the Top's on Jefferson on Saturday where the mass shooting to place, killing 10 and injuring three.
The dispatcher is on leave pending an upcomng hearing which will take place May 30th, where they intend to terminate the individual. "We teach our 911 call takers that if somebody's whispering it probably means they are in trouble. They are in an area of concern and this not just with regards to active shooters, but potentially with regards to domestic violence that someone may be calling," said Poloncarz.
The worker is on paid administrative leave via contract with CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association).
The transcript could surface sometime in the near future, WBEN will cover as the story develops.