“I just saw a person jump from the Wabasha Bridge,” a female voice on the other end of the line stated calmly. Her soft, monotone voice seemed different for some reason. As the 911 telecommunicator spoke with the woman, it became clear why she was on the bridge — she had been planning to make the same fateful jump.

This was just one call Allison Gaede handled as a 911 telecommunicator for Ramsey County’s Emergency Communications Center. Despite the difficult circumstances, Gaede kept her cool.

 

“No sweaty palms, no tears. One of my best skills in handling emergency situations is my ability to manage my adrenaline and stay calm. I take time to care for myself after the call, but in the moment, I make sure to provide the help that the person on the other end of the line needs,” said Gaede.

After working at Ramsey County for a year, the University of Wisconsin graduate wanted to move from behind her computer to be closer to those who need help. 

Public safety and care for others were modeled as Gaede grew up, with parents working as a St. Paul firefighter and emergency room nurse.

Gaede said she looked up to her parents and wanted a career where she could feel the same pride and passion for helping people that they did.

 

“But I also wanted to do my own thing. Law enforcement felt right,” Gaede said.

Gaede decided to transition into law enforcement and discovered the Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training (ICPOET) program through the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Justice Programs. ICPOET provides funding to law enforcement agencies across Minnesota to attract individuals hoping to transition into law enforcement like Gaede. 

The St. Paul Police Department selected Gaede to join the 24-week program at Hennepin Technical College. The schedule was rigorous and demanding, but for Gaede, completing the program was the only way to make her career transition happen. 

Receiving a salary while in training appealed to Gaede, who had thousands of dollars in student loan debt that she started to repay. 

“I also had dreams of following my passion for law enforcement but the bills and expenses weren’t going away,” she said.

A few weeks after graduating from ICPOET and passing the Peace Officer Standards and Training test, Gaede started a 16-week hands-on training with St. Paul Police Academy. She will do an additional four months of field training before she can begin solo patrols later in 2025.

 

Stepping out from behind the monitors and removing her headset as a 911 telecommunicator is a significant change and opportunity. Gaede’s parting words reflect her insightful, honest perspective: “It sounds cliché but I really am looking forward to helping people. It’s a special privilege to show someone kindness on what is most often the scariest and most traumatic day of their life. I’m not naive enough to think I can save the world, but if I can make a horrible day even a little bit better for someone, it’s worth it to me.”

Learn more about ICPOET.