NCJ Number
222952
Journal
THE POLICE CHIEF Volume: 75 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2008 Pages: 72,74,75
Date Published
May 2008
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the activities and products of an interagency work group established to research and develop a common-language protocol for use in radio communications across 31 Northern Virginia law enforcement agencies.
Abstract
The primary goal for the work group was to develop a common radio language that would facilitate clarity in public-safety communications among law enforcement personnel without compromising operational efficiency. All group members found it useful to discuss and debate the advantages and disadvantages of making changes in their established radio 10-codes and acknowledged the challenges associated with changes in habits and agency cultures regarding radio communications. In addition to the elimination of 10-codes and the identification of a small number of signal codes for the draft protocol, the group members also agreed it would be beneficial to have a uniform list of common phrases that would be used in place of former 10-codes. A list of common phrases was adopted by the group. Now, in addition to having common signal codes, the represented agencies use the same phrases to describe common practices. The work group also unanimously recommended the adoption of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) phonetic alphabet for radio use ("Alpha," "Bravo," "Charlie," etc.). Police chiefs and sheriffs from all 31 law enforcement agencies represented in the work group reviewed and endorsed the regional protocol, which became effective July 1, 2007. Group members continue to provide assistance as agency advocates and points of contact for assisting in education efforts for the new radio protocol and to incorporate recommendations into agency policy and training documents. 1 table and 3 notes