I work in a large Fire Based Urban EMS System and have at times had issues with dispatchers, but its not really THERE fault. When we ask for police for anything thats not an all out "assist" the dispatcher asks "reason for police?" Only because they have to tell the Police Dispatcher something, not that police will actually show though.
We have a set protocol on when we have a "first responder" engine or ladder dispatched on an assignement with us. For example if the squad is comming from greater then 2mi, on an ALS or Trauma call then someone would be going with you. We could travel the length of the city without a "first responder" on a BLS call, or to a private medical facility.