🧠 Trust and Ethics in Dispatch

In high-stakes dispatch work, your decisions affect real people. That’s why trust, ethics, and care are just as important as technical speed.

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Why Trust Matters

Trust is the foundation of the ICE Tea dispatch system. We rely on:

• Trusted reporters to send verified info
• Trusted responders to act safely and calmly
• Trusted dispatchers to evaluate, activate, and communicate clearly

If trust breaks, the system breaks.

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Activating the Right People

You should only activate responders who:

• Are qualified for the role (e.g. field safety, de-escalation)
• Are geographically close enough to act
• Have proven reliability or been vouched for by someone you trust
• Are not in conflict with the location, issue, or people involved

Never activate someone out of desperation if you know it may put them or others at risk.

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Balancing Urgency with Harm Reduction

Sometimes there is no perfect responder nearby. You still have options:

• Use a delay tactic (e.g., call a witness to document from distance until a trained team arrives)
• Alert a smaller, high-trust group instead of a wide broadcast
• Flag the situation for admin or zone leads for escalation support

❗Urgency never outweighs the need to protect people’s safety and consent.

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Handling Sensitive Information

Dispatchers often see info that others don’t — addresses, witness names, family situations, trauma events. Handle that information with respect and restraint.

Do:

• Log critical info in secure systems only
• Use initials or anonymized notes when possible
• Confirm consent before sharing names or photos

Don’t:

• Discuss internal info in public channels
• Share screenshots of ops
• Assume someone wants their story told

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Cultural Humility and Power

You may be coordinating responders from different races, languages, genders, or immigration statuses. Lead with humility and awareness of how power shows up in your voice, decisions, and outreach.

• Ask for pronouns and correct terms
• Avoid urgency that pressures people into roles
• Don't talk over field responders — ask for feedback

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Protecting the Movement

Every dispatch is a test of our values. One wrong ping, one unverified report, or one unsafe activation can damage trust across an entire city.

• Think before you hit “Send”
• Pause when unsure — ask for backup
• Protect people’s safety over ego, performance, or speed

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Sample Scripts

• “I’m not activating anyone until I verify this.”
• “Let’s wait 5 minutes for confirmation.”
• “I need someone with de-escalation training only.”
• “Please don’t post this publicly — we’re handling it securely.”

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Summary

Ethical dispatching is about care, not control. Move at the speed of trust. Protect people’s safety, stories, and dignity — even when it’s chaotic.