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Date: 9/20/85 Revision: 10/01/21 Reviewed: 12/01/23 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCED URE Number: GEN 233.00 Page: 1 of 2 SUBJECT: RADIO COMMUNICATIONS I. PURPOSE : The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish guidelines for radio communications by Sheriff's Office personnel while in the performance of their duties. II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to all Sheriff's Office personnel. III. DISCUSSION : Standardized radio communication procedures are essential to the operation of a public safety organization. The Sheriff's Office has established procedures to ensure efficient and effective radio communications. IV. PROCEDURES : A. On Duty - It shall be the responsibility of law enforcement deputies and other personnel, while in an on -duty status, to have the means and ability with which to monitor and/or communicate with other deputies and/or the Communications Bureau at all times either by radio or phone. B. Off Duty - It shall be the responsibility of law enforcement deputies and other personnel, while in an off -duty status and in an assigned Sheriff's Office vehicle, to have the means and ability to monitor and/or communicate with other d eputies and/or the Communications Bureau . 1. When a deputy is off duty, but in an assigned Sheriff's Office vehicle while conducting business other than official Sheriff's Office business, he/she shall be responsible for monitoring radio traffic on an assigned frequency and shall, as necessary and practical, respond to situations of an emergency nature. 2. When a deputy is in an off -duty status and on an off -duty assignment not requiring an assigned vehicle, it shall be the deputy's responsibility to ha ve an assigned portable radio with which to monitor radio communications and communicate with persons necessary for completion of said assignment. V. RESPONSIBILITIES : A. On Duty - While on duty, deputies shall have the means to communicate with other deputies and/or the Communications Bureau by fixed vehicle radio, portable radio , or Mobile Data Terminal (M DT). Deputies shall advise the Communications Bureau and/or their immediate supervisor of the following via voice channel or M DT: 1. Arrival/departure from assigned calls or the change in their location while on a call. 2. Their location and status while away from their assigned vehicle. 3. Their location and informatio n regarding traffic stops. 4. Their location and information of other changes in their status while performing normal duties, to ensure their safety and/or the safety of those responding to assist. GEN 233.00 10/01/21 Page 2 of 2 B. Off Duty - Deputies , who are radio equipped in an off -duty status , shall monitor radio communications and respond to emergencies when and where practical. While in an off-duty status and responding to an emergency situation or call for assistance, the deputy shall adhere to established procedures. On specia l assignments, such as off-duty jobs, deputies shall adhere to established radio procedures, to include providing their location and in -service/out -of-service status, to ensure their safety while performing their assignment. C. Supervisors - It shall be the responsibility of the area supervisor to monitor voice and MDT traffic within their area to e nsure the safety of those deputies assigned to that supervision area and to ensure proper radio communication procedures. VI. VOICE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS : A. Personnel communicating via voice radio shall speak clearly and concisely using established radio procedures and appropriate ten codes . B. In order to establish inter -agency communication , the following procedure must be used: 1. In emergency situations only, a deputy may: * a. Directly request the Sheriff’s Office dispatcher to assign an appropriate talk group to the deputy or “patch” the deputy with the other agency . b. Dispatch will immediately notify the appropriate agency and the Sheriff’s Office communications supervisor. c. The communications supervisor will assign a dispatcher to monitor the patched talk group and notify the field supervisor of the situation. 2. Voice traffic will be limited to official business transmissions using plain langua ge. * C. Deputies logged on in a zone shall be identified by their respective zone assignments, i.e., 1A10 (1 alpha 10) . Detectives and off -duty units shall be identified by their assigned unit numbers. Chad Chronister Sheriff Amends or Superse des: SO 9903.06