From the road to the radio: A mother’s voice behind her trooper son

April 12, 2026

MERIDIAN, Idaho — National Public Safety Telecommunications Week begins today (April 12–18), a time to recognize the professionals who answer emergency calls and serve as the critical link between the public and first responders. For Idaho State Police dispatcher Jodi Rogers, that call to serve has spanned decades, evolving from the road to the radio.

Rogers is a night supervisor at ISP’s Regional Communications Center in Meridian, but her career in public safety began on the road, where she served as a sheriff’s deputy for 15 years. After suffering an injury, she was forced to step away from patrol work, but not from service.

“After I was injured, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” Regional Communications Supervisor Jodi Rogers said. “But law enforcement is where I belong, so I decided to become a dispatcher. Because I worked on the other side, I think that has helped me in here. I understand what the troopers are going through out on the road.”

Today, Rogers is the calm, steady voice on the other end of the radio, supporting the public and troopers during some of their most critical moments. For one trooper in particular, that voice is more than just dispatch — it is family.

Rogers’ son serves as an ISP trooper in the Twin Falls region, and at times, she is the one coordinating calls and communication for him in the field.

“I understand the dangers of the job, and so does he. But it’s fun. I don’t get to see him a lot, so I love getting to hear his voice,” Rogers said.

ISP operates two Regional Communications Centers. The center in Coeur d’Alene covers northern and central Idaho, and the center in Meridian supports calls from southwestern to southeastern Idaho. Together, these dispatchers provide 24/7 support to troopers and the public across the state.

While 911 remains the primary number for emergencies, motorists in Idaho are encouraged to dial *ISP (*477) to reach the ISP dispatch center for non-emergency traffic incidents, such as reporting reckless drivers or minor crashes.