Advanced Radio Procedures Veterans Tribute C.T.A. Lori Henricksen Info also provided by National Park Service

Military Time…  Will be used by dispatch to end radio transmissions.  The 24 hour clock eliminates confusion between AM and PM designations.  The word HOURS will be used after any ten hundred time (Nine thirty hours) to eliminate possible confusion with codes.

Clearing a channel for emergency radio traffic…  In a situation where there is an officer safety issue and we only want officers involved in emergency traffic to initiate transmissions.  Each agency differs slightly in what they call it… “code red”, “hold the station”, etc.  This situation may include a beep or tone to alert those on the channel as well.

Alert Tones  Used to alert personnel to priority information.  Why is this needed?  Dispatching “hot traffic”, the alert tone should be sounded, followed by the information  This should be done for priority “0” calls.

Prioritizing Calls  Although it is important for the calltaker to ensure that their calls are coded correctly, you are also responsible for viewing these and knowing the proper priority.

Call Priorities  0 calls should be dispatched with a tone, as soon as possible because someone’s life or well being is in immediate danger.  1 calls are urgent, but nobody’s life or physical well being is known to be in immediate danger.  2 calls are report calls and should be dispatched when you have someone clear as long as there are no 1 or 2 calls holding in the area.  3 calls are those that are broadcast over the air and then cancelled by the dispatcher if needed.

BOLO’s  Be on the Lookout  Information on suspect(s)/vehicle(s) involved in a crime that recently occurred in a neighboring jurisdiction  Information on juveniles recently reported as missing, etc.  Basically, letting the officers know to keep an eye out for someone…

Example:  All units (stations) standby for BOLO # _______.” Then proceed with the information following the bolo

Traffic Stops  They are among the MOST DANGEROUS situations that a field officer will face.  There is no way for the officer to know in advance what type of person he/she will be stopping or what type of attitude he/she will encounter.

Traffic Stops  Officers location  License plate to include state(if the plate is not displayed or is unreadable the dispatcher MUST obtain a vehicle description)  Run a want on the plate to confirm the vehicle is not stolen, and obtain registration info to make sure it matches the vehicle.

 If a vehicle comes back stolen, immediately request the officer if they are clear to copy. DO NOT give out the information until you are told to proceed.  After you give the info to the officer, a backup unit should be assigned to assist.  If an officer checks out on a traffic stop and has not made any further transmissions, you must check to see if he is okay (we will do this after 2 minutes).

 If an officer determines it is necessary to check wants, previous and/or drivers license status on the driver or other passenger, he will advise dispatch and provide the subjects name, date of birth, social security number, and any other available information.  If a person comes back wanted, missing, etc. Immediately ask the officer if he’s clear to copy and DO NOT give out info until you are told to proceed  A backup unit should be assigned unless otherwise advised.

Officer Welfare Check  Should be done anytime an officer is on a call and has not transmitted for an extended period of time.  Factors include:  Type of call  People involved  The situation

When should you check?  An officer has been out on a burglary report call at the mall for 5 minutes.  An officer has been arrived on a domestic violence call for about 6 minutes.  An officer on a traffic stop gave you a code 4 about 4 minutes prior and said he was “out with cites”

More Common Radio Terms  AKA  ATL  BOLO  CCW  CPS  DL  DOA  DOB

 DUI  ETA  FI  FST  FTA  HGN  LIC  LIS  LIT  LIY  NCIC  PBT

 PC  REPO  SMT  VIN  VMA  VMO  VYR

And remember… Officer Safety at ALL TIMES