NCJ Number
69901
Date Published
1968
Length
148 pages
Annotation
The utilization of radio frequencies for law enforcement purposes in the Lake Michigan metroplitan area was examined, and recommendation for improvements are made.
Abstract
Calculations of channel occupancy and message waiting time demonstrated that congestion of police channels was a serious problem. An unequal distribution of channels allowed one channel to be shared by 36 departments while another was used by only one. The study finds that more spectrum space will be required to meet present and future demands and that formal cooperative network arrangements are needed. The fabric of such networks must be planned for the region as a whole. Sections of the report focus on a description of existing systems and the populations served by them, the frequency assignments of the police communications systems and the existing types of network arrangements, an extensive statistical analysis of the message traffic, an evaluation of the existing systems. Also discussed are the different ways in which police radio networks can be organized, the governmental implications of organizing coordinated communication networks, spectrum requirements for future demands, and conclusions and recommendations for further study. Maps, data tables, and 12 references are included.