Meridenâs dispatch center so understaffed the city is offering bonuses to new hires, referrals Meridenâs dispatch center so understaffed the city is offering bonuses to new hires, referrals Meriden Police station April 7, 2011. (Dave Zajac/Record-Journal) February 02, 2021 05:40PM By Nick Sambides Jr., Record-Journal staff MERIDEN â The city is having so much trouble finding and retaining police and fire dispatchers that it has started a new bonus program. Under the new program, which was announced on Monday, certified dispatchers who refer other certified dispatchers to work at the Meriden Emergency Communications Center will get $1,000 after the new worker has been with the city for six months. Referrals of trainees, or successful referrals from other city workers, will get $500 if the recruit lasts six months, officials said.