Applicable To: All Communications dispatchers and supervisors

Approval Authority:  Major S. L. Savage

Signature:  Signed by SLS

Date Signed:  8/17/2004

1.               PURPOSE

To Provide interim procedures and guidelines for recently acquired radio technology that has no precedent within Atlanta Police Department’s Standard Operational Procedures

2.               POLICY

When the emergency button is activated by APD users of the MTS 2000 models II and III hand held radio, Police Dispatchers will follow the guidelines described in the ACTION section of this command memorandum.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the responsibility of the Police Dispatcher to exhaust all resources in identifying and establishing the welfare of a Police Officer that has activated their emergency button.

4.               ACTION

4.1              Identify the officer

4.1.1           After the dispatcher receives the tones signifying emergency button activation within a particular talk group, the dispatcher will attempt to identify the officer activating the emergency button.   (CALEA 81.2.5 c)

4.1.2           To identify the unit making the emergency notification, the dispatcher will type in the 6 digit radio I.D. number followed by or proceeded by the OI command, into the Command Window of the dispatch console.  (CALEA 81.2.5 c)

4.1.3           Press F8 to retrieve the OI information.  The information that is displayed includes the Officer’s radio I.D. number, name, call sign or unit number, phone number, special capabilities if any, and rank.  The I.D. number manifests itself in four different ways.   (CALEA 81.2.5)

1.    As the last emergency signal is activated within a particular talk group, the I.D. number will appear in the top line of the affected talk group emergency panel of the radio computer dispatch screen

2.    As the last emergency signal is activated within the Police Department, the I.D. number will appear in the Emergency Status Window of the radio computer dispatch screen.

3.    As the last radio to transmit on a particular Talk Group, the radio I.D. number will appear in the Push To Talk portion of the Status Monitor.

4.    The radio I.D. number will appear briefly as a temporary window in the Status Monitor.  (CALEA 81.2.5 c)

5.    Identification numbers are distinguishable as follows:

a.    740000 through 744999 represent portable radios

b.    745000 through 745999 represent mobile radios

c.    749000 through 745999 represent control stations

4.2              After determining the unit number and or name of the officer, the dispatcher will increase the unselect volume so that it is audible to the “free” ear.

4.3              In a calm transmitting voice, using the instant transmit button, raise the unit over the emergency frequency.  Ask the unit if they are still out on the last assigned call.  (Note:  This should be done by unit number if available; by name if unit number is not available.)

4.4              If the unit responds, ask if the unit is Code 7.

4.4.1           If the unit’s response is inclusive of the use of C21, then follow established procedures in APD.SOP.6010, section 4.7.3.   (Note:  APD.SOP6010, section 4.7.3 references having assisting field units immediately switch to the TAC frequency to receive instructions.)  However, because the radio system switches the effected Officer to a separate frequency, the orchestration of the help call may be done from the original talk group frequency if the dispatcher and supervisor find it better serving.

4.4.2           If the unit confirms C7, the dispatcher will advise the unit that his or her emergency button has been activated and they will need to turn their radio off and back on to reset their radio.

4.5              If there is no response by the unit the dispatcher will attempt to raise the unit on the original talk group and have all other talk groups raise the unit.

                  (CALEA 81.2.5 c)

4.5.1           If the dispatcher is still unable to make radio contact, a S63 will be broadcast over the original talk group’s dispatch frequency, with the affected officer’s last known location as the point of dispatch. (CALEA 81.2.5 c) 

4.6              deactivate the emergency environment

4.6.1           After emergency disposition has been established and handled, the dispatcher will deactivate the emergency environment from the radio computer dispatch screen by:

1.    Selecting the Special pop-up window from the radio computer dispatch screen

2.    Select Emerg Reset from the displayed pop-up window.

3.    Select Knockdown from the displayed pop-up window: (the computer will automatically go back to the main window)

4.    Repeat steps 1 and 2

5.    Select ‘Clear Sts’ from the displayed pop-up window

6.    Select Close to complete the process

5.               DEFINITIONS

N/A

6.               CANCELLATIONS

N/A

7.               REFERENCES

APD.SOP.6010, sections 4.7.1 and 4.7.3