Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL ORDER I-18 Index as: Law Enforcement
Telecommunication Hardware and Mnemonics Effective Date:
5 Dec 07
Evaluation Coordinator:
Communications Division Commander
Evaluation Date:
5 Jun 08
Automatic Review Cycle:
3 Years
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LAW ENFORCEMENT TELECOMMUNICATION
HARDWARE AND MNEMONICS
The purpose of this order is to set forth Departmental policy and procedures regarding
the assignment of California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) and Alameda County
(ALCO) terminal mnemonics and the contro l of specific automa ted system desktop
terminals, printers and mobile data terminals utilized for law enforcement
telecommunications.
I. DEFINITIONS A. Mnemonic
A unique four character identificati on assigned to a specific terminal
utilized for law enforcement telecommunications.
B. California Law Enforcement Tel ecommunications System (CLETS)
CLETS is maintained by the State to provide inform ation access to
qualified law enforcement and criminal justice agencies via a message
switching computer (MSC) located at DOJ in Sacramento which:
1. Receives all messages transmitt ed by terminals with CLETS
access;
2. Validates each terminal mnemonic;
3. Serially records each message on journal tape;
4. Checks for proper terminal access authorization;
5. Forwards messages; and
6. Provides access into various state and federal files.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-18 Effective Date
5 Dec 07 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
C. Agency Terminal Coordinator (ATC)
The Chief of Police designated the Communications Division Commander
as the ATC to coordinate with the CA DOJ on matters pertaining to the
use of CLETS, DOJ criminal just ice databases and administrative
networks that CLETS supports, NCIC, NLETS, and with ALCO for their
databases and networks.
D. Police Technology Unit (PTU) Supervisor
The Chief of Police designated the Po lice Technology Unit Supervisor as
the coordinator for the mobile data terminal (MDT) system.
E. Mobile Data Terminal (MDT)
A mobile data terminal (MDT) is a computerized device used in police
vehicles to provide access a variet y of programs a nd telecommunication
services.
II. CA DOJ AND ALCO MNEMONIC REQUIREMENTS
A. The DOJ and ALCO control the issuance of mnemonics.
B. For tracking purposes, the CA DOJ and ALCO requires each desktop
terminal, printer, and MDT utilized for law enforcement
telecommunications to be assigned a unique mnemonic.
C. The CA DOJ and ALCO has charged each agency with th e responsibility
to:
1. Maintain the security of deskt op terminals, printers, and MDTs
2. Ensure the information databa ses are properly accessed and
3. Maintain a listing of mnem onics assigned to desktop
terminals/MDTs and the termin al’s/MDT’s physical location.
III. POLICY REGARDING AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT AND MNEMONICS
A. No person shall move any desktop terminal/printer utilized for law
enforcement telecommunications or assign/reassign a desktop
terminal/printer mnemonic without prior written authorization from the
ATC or designee.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-18 Effective Date
5 Dec 07 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
B. No person shall remove any MDT from it’s assigned vehicle or
assign/reassign a MDT mnemonic without prior written authorization from
the PTU or designee
C. The City Department of Inform ation Technology (DIT) provides the
following services for the Department and coordinates with the ATC and
PTU Supervisor or designee on all maintenance and repairs:
1. Installs, services and maintains the desktop te rminals, printers, and
associated networks;
2. Installs, services and maintains the MDT laptop terminals, system
and associated networks; and
3. Provides connection to the ALCO message switching computer for
the above equipment and networks.
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Agency Terminal Coordinator
The ATC shall:
1. Coordinate with CA DOJ and ALCO to ensure the security of all
the County, State and Federa l automated law enforcement
telecommunications systems and databases.
2. Ensure a list of desktop term inal, printer and MDT mnemonic
assignments, and locations is maintained and available for
inspection by ALCO, CA DOJ and FBI auditors.
3. Conduct periodic inspections to:
a. Reconcile desktop terminals a nd MDT inventory lists with
assigned mnemonics and location data a minimum of once per calendar year; and
b. Ensure personnel are complyin g with CLETS policies while
utilizing these terminals. (S ee Part IV, C, 4 below)
4. Coordinate with the DIT for n eeded repairs and maintenance on
the MDT terminals and networks.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-18 Effective Date
5 Dec 07 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
5. Process requests for:
a. Assignment/reassignment of CA DOJ and/or ALCO
mnemonics for desktop termin als, printers and MDTs.
b. Moving desktop terminals or printers locations; and/or
c. New desktop terminals, printers and MDTs.
B. Police Technology Unit (PTU) Supervisor
The PTU Supervisor shall:
1. Ensure the MDT terminals and networks are operational;
2. Ensure the MDT mnemonics are assigned properly;
3. Provide MDT operations technical support to end users;
4. Coordinate with the ATC to request new MDT mnemonics