You hear her voice all the time on Adam-12, but do you know who she is? The series took special measures to portray police work accurately, and one of its most authentic touches wasn’t something you saw on screen — it was something you heard.

The dispatcher viewers heard over the police radio was Shaaron Claridge, a real-life police dispatcher for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Claridge brought her professional experience to her role on Adam-12, ensuring the dialogue sounded true to life.

Speaking to the Fort Lauderdale News, she explained how she incorporated her real-world experience into the iconic series.

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"I try to be as authentic as possible when I'm reading my lines," Claridge said. "If the script doesn't ring true, then I change it."

Claridge's firsthand experience gave her a unique perspective on the show's portrayal of police work.

At the time of the interview, viewers had heard Claridge's voice but had yet to see her on screen. She hoped that would change.

"Naturally, I'd like to be seen [on the show] too. What girl wouldn't? But so far it hasn't even been discussed," Claridge said.

Claridge eventually made a brief on-screen appearance in the show's fifth season, giving viewers a chance to put a face to the familiar voice. 

Behind the microphone, Claridge's real-life responsibilities were just as demanding.

"I communicate with the various patrol cars 600-800 times in an eight-hour watch," Claridge said. "That's a lot of radio traffic to handle in a single shift!"

The job also came with considerable emotional strain: "My work at the police department is tense because you never know what horrible situation the officers are going to find waiting for them," Claridge explained.

Claridge's dual role helped bring an extra layer of realism to Adam-12. She wasn't simply playing a dispatcher; she was drawing on her everyday experience in the field.

The next time you hear her voice crackle over the radio, you'll know there's a real-life story behind it — and that's a call worth answering!