Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (09/22/2023 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: COMMUNICATIONS PROCEDURES – MOBILE DATA TERMINAL,
RADIO AND CELLULAR TELEPHONE
Index as: Cellular Telephones Mobile Computers Radio Language, Plain
Channel Assignments, Radio MPS Communications Radio Procedures
Communications Equipment Failure Phonetic Alphabet, International Telephone Communications
Communications Procedures Plain Radio Language Ten Signals and Codes
Failsoft System, Radio Failure Radio Failure Procedures Unit Response
Accreditation Standards: 6.3.1, 22.1.8, 81.2.4, 81.2.9, 81.3.1, 81.3.3, 83.2.2, CFA 25.09
Cross Reference: G.O. II -12, Negligent Damage Loss or Theft of Department Property
G.O. III -02, Dispatch Authority
City Administrative Policy 070 800, Use of Employee Cellular Phone
Replaces : I.O. V.5: 05, Communicati on Procedures - Mobile Data Termina l, Radio and Cellular (August
28, 2023 )
This Order consists of the following sections:
I. Purpose
II. Unit Response, Radio and Electronic Procedures
III. Telephone Communications
IV. System Failure
V. Failure of Failsoft System – Emergency Procedure
VI. Emergency Circumstances Contingency Plan
VII. Inoperable Equipment
VIII. Plain Radio Language
IX. Authorized Ten Codes
X. Authorized Codes
XI. International Phonetic Alphabet
I. PURPOSE
A. This Order establishes basic procedures for verbal (radio) and electronic (mobile computer) contact with the
Emergency Communications Center. It also authorizes cellular phone use, lists Ten (10) Signals and Codes used by the
Department and depicts the International Phonetic Alphabet.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
April 2016 Immediately V.5:05
Distribution: All Employees
Portions of this Order are exempt from disclosure under Public Records Law of the State of Florida, §19.07(3)(f), F.S.S.
since it contains “comprehensiv e policies or plans compiled by a criminal justice agency pertaining to the mobilization,
deployment or tactical operations in responding to emergencies.”
Instructional Order V.5:05
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (09/22/2023 ) B. The St. Petersburg Police Department operates:
1. Voice radios on the 800 MHz frequency in order to effectively broadcast and receive countywide. The system
operates using the “trunking ” method, which translates radio frequency digital language into computer format, allowing for
more efficient use of a limited number of frequencies, thus eliminating long waits for channel access. The system provides
clear communication with minimal “dead spots” quick access time, and the virtual impossibility of a complete system failure.
2. Data communications channels, to and from mobile units, which go directly to the computer aided dispatch
(CAD) system through the commercial cellular telephone network. To increase capacity, more than one carrier is under
contract for this service.
II. UNIT RESPONSE, RADIO , AND ELECTRONIC PROCEDURES
A. Units will:
1. Check In -Service promptly and ensure:
a. They are electronically signed on to MPS and that their unit is depicted on the map.
b. That their mobile and portable radio identifiers are properly entered in the system.
1) Failure to properly enter the radio identifiers prevents the system from recognizing the radio.
2) Anytime a new vehicle or portable radio is obtained, the Officer must e nter the new identifiers in the
MPS log-in.
3) Officers will ensure the Equipment Room is advised of any changes to mobile or portable radio
assignments. The Equipment Room will immediately make the revisions in R MS and CAD -BDM.
2. Keep the dispatcher advised electronically or verbally, as appropriate, of any change in their status (e.g., Busy,
In Service, Eating [Subject to Call], and Arrived).
3. Monitor their assigned radio channel and pending calls from CAD on their computer whenever practical.
4. When completing their tour of duty, check “Out of Service” or be placed in the pending mobile status,
electronically or verbally, as appropriate, so they can be properly cleared from CAD.
5. Ensure that voice and MPS elect ronic messages are professional and job -related. These messages are subject
to inspection and may be considered a public record.
B. When called by the dispatcher to handle a Priority 1 or 2 event, units will respond first with their unit designator and
then with their location. Lower priority events may be acknowledged electronically.
C. When an emergency or routine call requires a multi ple-unit response, it is the responsibility of the assigned unit to
coordinate the response to maximize the effectiveness of all concerned units.
1. If the assigned unit is prevented from coordinating the response, it is the responsibility of one of the back up
units or a supervisor to coordinate responding units.
2. When requesting a perimeter, the primary responding unit will provide the dispatcher with perimeter points.
Response coordination may be assumed by a field supervisor but will not be left to the dispatcher.
D. In order to avoid units overriding each other’s radio transmissions, Officers will monitor their radio for cu rrent users.
After transmitting a message, it is important that Officers listen for an acknowledgment from the dispatcher to ensure the
message has been received.
E. Electronic messaging via MPS for routine and non -emergency traffic is preferred. Alternately, if contacting the