Meet Gaby Villegas of Kansas City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaby Villegas.

Hi Gaby, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I never planned on becoming a dispatcher. I had just moved to Kansas City and needed a job, so I started dispatching for a concrete company. I hated it. A friend of mine was a police dispatcher and told me to apply, but I didn’t want to. I figured if I couldn’t stand concrete dispatching, I’d definitely hate police dispatching since it’s dealing with people’s lives.
But then I saw it paid more and thought, “Well, if I’m going to hate my job, I might as well get paid better for it.” Turns out, I was wrong. I actually love police dispatching way more. I love, love, love it.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth ride, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. I feel accomplished and useful in what I do, and there’s a huge sense of purpose that comes with this job. The biggest struggles have been with my mental health. Luckily, there are resources, but I’ve dealt with more anxiety, more paranoia, and for a while, it even made me lose a little hope in humanity. That’s gotten better, but this job really opens your eyes to how dangerous the world can be. It’s made me more vigilant and aware, which can be both a blessing and a curse.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a police dispatcher and 911 operator, specializing in emergency communications. I’m probably best known online as 911itsGaby for my dispatch related content. Whether that’s funny stories, relatable moments, or memes about law enforcement, police dispatching, and first responders. What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve been able to be part of through social media. I definitely didn’t create the first responder content space, but I love contributing to it and helping raise awareness about what we do. It’s about humanizing first responders showing the reality of our work, the challenges we face, and sometimes even the lighter side. I think that’s what sets me apart. blending authenticity with humor while still respecting the seriousness of the job.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
When it comes to doing my best in life and at work, I think the most important thing is keeping my mind sharp, calm, and refreshed. In this job, that’s what really makes the difference. I’m a big fan of self help books, and my favorite is Good Vibes, Good Life. It breaks down every aspect of life in such a simple way such as, relationships, slowing down, exercising, and keeping a healthy mindset. As first responders, we often struggle with balance and asking for help because we’re “supposed to be the hero.” Books like this help me remember to take care of myself, too. I’m not big on apps, but I do enjoy TikTok for connecting with other dispatchers. It gives me that sense of unity. For podcasts, I love “Let’s Talk Law Enforcement Period” and “Tone Alert”. They’re raw, honest, and share real experiences in the first responder world. And while I don’t think you need to spend all your free time studying dispatch material, I do recommend monkeytype.com. It’s helped me improve my typing speed and accuracy.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/911itsgaby/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/911itsgaby/61566172621561/?_rdr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@911itsGaby