Longtime Newport Police dispatcher Jill Lillis retires

NEWPORT — The Newport Police Department announced today that longtime local dispatcher Jill Lillis is retiring from the department.

Lillis was hired in 2008 as a part-time dispatcher and came on full-time in 2018.

During an interview with Newport Dispatch this morning, Lillis said that her career with the Newport Police Department was very rewarding.

Helping community members often during their worst moments, Lillis admitted that the role of a dispatcher can take its toll emotionally, but says she was always proud of the way the department and the community worked together during these times.

She says that working for the department showed her how police can almost become like family to community members and that mutual trust between police agencies and the communities they serve is critical to maintaining public safety.

“Jill’s infectious personality will be missed by our office and community she served,” the department said in a statement. “We are all grateful for Jill’s time here at NPD and wish her the very best in retirement.”

Lillis says she is looking forward to hiking and kayaking more during her retirement, however, she says she may still work occasionally as a substitute teacher.