Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-5 Index as: Communications Control and
Coordination
Effective Date:
12 Jan 08
Evaluation Coordinator:
Communications Division Commander
Evaluation Due Date:
14 Jul 08
Automatic Revision Cycle:
3 Years
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COMMUNICATIONS CONTROL AND COORDINATION
The purpose of this order is to set forth Departmental policy and procedure and to
establish Communications Divisi on control of radio broadcas ts, dispatching, and field
units response to assignments and on-view situations; to regulate the use of radio talk
groups/channels; and to se t forth procedures rega rding radio malfunctions.
I. COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION CONTROL OF TRANSMITTING, DISPATCHING, AND FIELD RESPONSE TO ASSIGNMENTS
A. Under Federal Communications Commissi on rules, control of all radio
messages transmitted by the base stati on and by mobile units rests with the
Communications Division.
1. Except in an emergency, mobile field units shall not communicate
with each other by radio without fi rst obtaining permission to do so
from the Communications Division.
2. Improper transmissions are prohibited. Such transmissions include:
a) Messages of a personal natu re, except in case of an
emergency;
b) Unnecessary mention of prope r names of communicators;
c) Anonymous conversations and ta lk not related to lawful
police purposes; and
d) The use of unnecessary rude, threatening, intimidating,
harsh, insulting, profane, insolent or demeaning language.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-5 Effective Date:
12 Jan 08 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
B. Dispatching of field units shall be accomplished in accordance with the
Department’s geographic po licing plan. All calls for service shall originate
from the Communications Division. Ba sed upon the established priority,
calls shall require the followi ng clearance for dispatching.
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT
Priority Within Assigned
Patrol Area Outside Assigned Patrol Area
(Cross-Area Dispatching)
Priority 0 None None
Priority 1 None Advisement to a commander or supervisor
in both Areas
Priority 2 None Authorization required from both
Area Commanders or designee
Priority 3 None Authorization required from both
Area Commanders or designee
Priority 4 None Authorization required from both
Area Commanders or designee
C. While all assignments originating in the Communications Division are
orders of the Department, Patrol Area Commanders and supervisors are
authorized to modify assignments, as necessary, to meet the priorities of
the Department’s geographic polici ng plan and the priorities of the
responsible/accountable Patrol Area Commander.
D. Patrol Area Commanders may ove rrule Communications Division
assignments in order to meet the spec ific needs of their assigned Patrol
Area’s geographic policing plan. Supervisors may only overrule
Communications Division assignmen ts under unusual or emergency
circumstances.
E. Patrol Area Commanders and supervis ors shall have the authority to:
1. Redirect Patrol units to other assignments;
2. Direct specific calls for service be held for other Patrol units; and
3. Cancel a response to a call fo r service based upon information
available to him/her (e.g. likelihood the probl em no longer exists,
field information, experi ence, observations, etc.).
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-5 Effective Date:
12 Jan 08 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
F. When such authority is exercised, the Communications Division shall, except for Priority “0” or “1” incidents, direct members and employees to
perform tasks only within the memb er or employee’s assigned Patrol
Area. The assignment of personnel out side their assigned Patrol Area
requires clearance as outlined in Part I, B, of this order.
G. Radio-equipped members/ employees assigned to specialized divisions,
sections or units shall report their availability to the Communications
Division at the beginning a nd end of tour of duty.
H. Members shall remain immediately available to the public and shall
respond to on-view situations and reque sts from the public for assistance
except when engaged in a specific as signment of higher priority. In that
situation, the member(s) unable to res pond or assist shall, at the earliest
practical opportunity, inform the Comm unications Division of the need or
request.
I. Radio-equipped units shall report any change in status at the earliest practical opportunity.
J. Members shall answer any land wire or radio message directed to them as
soon as practical.
K. All units which are subject to ra dio discipline shall advise the
Communications Division when they are no longer available for
assignments at the end of their tour of duty.
II. FIELD UNIT DISPATCHING SEQUENCE A. Communications Division personnel sh all be guided by the assignment
sequence set forth in the following table when dispatching un its to calls for
service.
Initial Response to
Service Assignment Initial Response to
Cover Assignment
Assigned Beat Officer Tactical Unit with Patrol Area
Supplemental Beat Officer Supplemental Beat Officer
Tactical Unit within Patrol Area Adjacent Beat Unit within
Patrol Area
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-5 Effective Date:
12 Jan 08 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Initial Response to Initial Response to
Service Assignment Cover Assignment
Adjacent Beat Unit within
Patrol Area Specialized field and staff units1 within
Patrol Area
Specialized field and staff units1 within
Patrol Area Patrol Wagon within Patrol Area
Patrol Wagon within Patrol Area Police Evidence Technician (Sworn)
within Patrol Area
Police Evidence Technician (Sworn)
within Patrol Area Specialized field and staff units from