Policy Text
Page 1 of 2 10/05 (REV 1/89)
Administrative Messages (SCATS)
The purpose of this General Order is to define policy and enfor cement regarding
appropriate use of administrativ e messages via the Sheriff’s Co mputer Assisted
Telecommunications System. I. General
A. An administrative message (AM) via the Sheriff’s Computer As sisted
Telecommunications System (SCATS) is the relaying of a free for m
printed communication between te rminals, both mobile communicat ions
terminals (MCT) and/or cathode ra y tube terminals (CRT).
B. All administrative messages a re routed to the master printer log (24-hour
log) for subsequent monitori ng of system activity.
C. Selected periods of administr ative messages may also be sepa rately
printed for review of conformance to this Order.
II. Restrictions
A. Administrative messages are subject to Federal Communication
Commission Regulations/Restricti ons required of radio traffic a nd
transmissions. The use of profanity is a violation of FCC rules and is
prohibited.
B. Administrative messages (AM), other than for specific busine ss related
communications essential to the mission of this Department, are expressly
prohibited.
C. Strict compliance with this Or der is necessary for two disti nct reasons.
1. All communications records, inc luding printed logs, are subj ect to
subpoena and are, in fact, re viewed by outside agencies and
entered into court records.
2. Administrative message transmi ssions add a significant workl oad to
the SCATS system. To the exten t the system is “bogged down” wit h
less essential AMs, other traf fic cannot be transmitted. Keepin g
administrative messages to a m inimum benefits both field and
Communications Center operations.
Page 2 of 2 10/05 (REV 1/89)
III. Compliance
A. In order to assure compliance with the restrictions relative to AM traffic
outlined above, the following pr ocedures shall be followed:
1. Special Services
a. The Communications Bur eau Commander shall have a
random sample of the master pri nter of AM log reviewed for
conformance to this Order. A minimum sample of at least six (6) hours (two hours each fo r day, evening, and morning
watches) shall be reviewed each month.
b. The results of each month’ s message review shall be
included in the Technical Services Division monthly activities
report.
c. Examples of apparent AM abuse by Communications
Bureau personnel shall be tr ansmitted to the Technical
Services Commander by IDC to include any corrective/ disciplinary action recommended.
d. Examples of apparent AM abus e by personnel other than
personnel assigned to the Comm unications Bureau shall be
transmitted to the potential o ffender’s divisional commander
by log copy.
e. The Communications Bur eau Commander shall have a
random sample of the master p rinter or AM log copied and
routed to the Sheriff/ Undersher iff each month for their
review.
2. Patrol Services
a. The Chief Deputy for Patrol S ervices shall have a monthly
sample of the master print er or AM log reviewed for
conformance to this Order
3. Supervisors at all levels sha ll periodically review radio tr affic and
administrative messages to ens ure appropriate use of the
Department’s telecommunications system.