Emotional Farewell Marks the Closure of the Chesterton/Porter Dispatch Center

Early Tuesday morning, two dispatchers broadcasted a poignant final message for the Chesterton/Porter police dispatch center. Speaking with emotion, Kaylee Nugent reflected on over 50 years of service that police dispatchers in Porter dedicated to answering calls. She stated, “We weren’t the face of the department. We were its voice.” Nugent expressed gratitude to the community and officers for trusting the unseen voice at the other end.

Jessica Holaway, working for Chesterton at the dispatch center, reminisced about how the two communities unified in 2014 to operate a dispatch center from Porter Police station. She noted, “Moving forward, your calls will be answered from a different room, and a new chapter will begin. But what happened inside this dispatch center mattered.” The legacy of friendships, laughs, cries, and challenging calls were all acknowledged by Holaway.

As county consolidation took effect, Holaway closed by affirming, “Long live Northcom,” referring to the efforts to maintain the dispatch center. At 6 a.m., the merging with the Porter County E-911 system became official.

As the closure approached, dispatchers attempted to keep spirits up with celebrations. Doors were adorned with streamers, floors scattered with confetti, and a ceiling banner read, “The beginning of a new chapter.” Porter Police Chief Dan Dickey lauded the staff’s resilience, noting the success in securing new employment for full-time employees, leading to advancing the closure date. Chief Dickey, having begun his law enforcement career as a dispatcher, emphasized the term “bitter” to describe the transition.

In 2014, Porter and Chesterton collaborated to form a joint dispatch center. Dickey humorously recalled supporting the coalition but admitted a preference for independent dispatch operations. Consolidation discussions followed a tense event in June 2025 involving a shooting incident in Chesterton. Response delays pointedly criticized by Porter County Commissioner Jim Biggs and Communications Director Debby Gunn ignited controversy, culminating in orders for a central dispatch system.

As consolidation became inevitable, Nugent lamented the challenges presented by unfamiliar protocols for county dispatchers. Efforts to strengthen ties with the county continue as adjustments to the communications infrastructure are planned, suggesting potential for improved coordination.

Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson voiced concern for employees displaced by this change while remaining optimistic about enhanced communication among first responder agencies. Plans to integrate dispatch operations include sharing channels with the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, while discussing dedicated channels for local communities.

Debby Gunn continues preparations for consolidation. Despite announcing plans to leave the job in July, Gunn remains in her role until her successor is chosen. She reports having 23 dispatchers active, with additional personnel in training to ultimately grow the team to 31.

Reporter Jim Woods contributed to the coverage for the Post-Tribune.