NCJ Number
64740
Journal
INTERCOM Issue: 13 Dated: (DECEMBER 1979) Pages: 16-21
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE RADIO SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT USED BY THE WEST MIDLANDS POLICE IN ENGLAND ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE RADIO SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SEPARATE ULTRA HIGH FREQUENCY (UHF) LOCAL RADIO SCHEMES FOR EACH OF THE FORCE'S 31 SUBDIVISIONS. SUCH SCHEMES WOULD BE CAPABLE OF BEING GROUPED INTO LARGER DIVISIONAL SCHEMES ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS OR OF BEING OPERATED OR MONITORED BY CENTRAL CONTROL ROOM PERSONNEL.IN ADDITION, THE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SEVERAL LONGER RANGE VERY HIGH FREQUENCY (VHF) CHANNELS CAPABLE OF BEING GOVERNED NOT ONLY FROM THE CENTRAL CONTROL ROOM BUT ALSO FROM A SEPARATE TRAFFIC CONTROL UNIT ABLE TO ASSUME MANY OF THE MAIN CONTROL'S FUNCTIONS IN AN EMERGENCY. THE SYSTEMS, DESIGNED BY THE HOME OFFICE DIRECTORATE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, CAN BE CONSIDERED A LAYERED METHOD OF CONTROL. EACH LAYER IS SELF-CONTAINED, SELF-GUARDING AND PROTECTED FROM FAILURE, AND POSSESSES ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ACHIEVING THE DESIRED OBJECTIVE. THE RADIO CONTROL SYSTEM IS CAPABLE OF ACCESSING UP TO 100 RADIO CHANNELS OR SLOTS AND CAN BE USED BY UP TO 100 OPERATORS SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE SYSTEM INCLUDES SELECTIVE PRESENTATION, INTERCOMMUNICATION, TALK-THROUGH, AND CONNECT FEATURES TO ENABLE COMMUNICATION AMONG CHANNELS. CENTRAL FACILITIES INCLUDE REMOTE CONTROL AND TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE SUBDIVISIONAL AND DIVISIONAL CONTROL SYSTEMS INCLUDE MOBILE VEHICLES, A PAGING SYSTEM, AND A VEHICLE AVAILABILITY SYSTEM. DIAGRAMS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)