Original: 09-30-2005 - Effective: 03-18-2011 - Amends: 09-01-2009 - Review: 2017

Operational General Order 11.16 Police Communications PAGE 1 OF 6 SUBJECT

Virginia Beach Police Department Written Directive Chapter 11 - Patrol Operations

EFFECTIVE DATE 03/18/2011

ORIGINATOR/REVIEW

Uniform Division DISTRIBUTION ALL CALEA:

BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE:

Purpose

To establish communications protocols that facilitates effective communications between the Department, VB9-1-1, and other agencies. This policy governs the assignment of unit designators, shift indicators, the use of lineups, radio communications and MDT codes.

Policy

In order to standardize communications protocols and the assignment of unit/shift designators/indicators in Operations Division it shall be the policy of the Virginia Beach Police Department to adhere to the following:

Patrol Unit Designators and Shift Indicators

The various mobile units and special assignments in each of the Operations Division Commands will utilize the following standardized unit designators and shift indicators when deploying personnel.

1. Each unit designator shall be composed of a number indicating the precinct/bureau of the unit and the unit’sspecific assignment. This shall be followed by a letter indicating the shift and shall be followed by anoptional number when more than one precinct unit is assigned to a particular beat with the same shiftindicator. Dedicated numbers shall be assigned to precinct/bureau captains, lieutenants, and sergeants andshall be based on their current assignment.

• Precinct/Bureau Captains shall utilize the numbers 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, or 900 as theirdedicated unit designators.

• Precinct Lieutenants shall be assigned a dedicated unit number in the 01-04 series and SpecialOperations lieutenants and Animal Control Supervisors shall be assigned a dedicated unit number in the01-03 series, each prefixed determined by their current assignment.

• Precinct Sergeants shall be assigned a dedicated unit number in the 05-19 series and Special Operationssergeants shall be assigned a dedicated unit number in the 04-14 series. Each shall be prefixed by theircurrent command designator and preceded by the shift indicator.

• Community Policing Officers shall be assigned unit numbers in the 60-89 series, prefixed by the currentprecinct designator. The shift indicator shall follow the unit number.

• The corresponding zone number in the 20-38 series, (10-39 series for Animal Control) prefixed by theprecinct designator, shall be utilized when assigning precinct personnel to specific patrol zones. Theshift indicator shall follow the unit number.o In the event that more than one unit on the same shift is assigned to a specific patrol zone, each

additional unit shall be distinguished by the addition of another number as a suffix. No more thantwo additional units, per shift, shall be assigned the same base zone number (this does not include“F” units). The first additional zone unit will have the suffix 1 and second will have the suffix 2,which shall be preceded by the shift indicator.

11.16 Police Communications Page 2 of 6

Original: 09-30-2005 - Effective: 03-18-2011 - Amends: 09-01-2009 - Review: 2017

• Special Operations, with the exception of canine, marine, mounted, and aviation units, shall assign unit numbers in the 15-99 series, prefixed by the command designator. With the exception of Aviation, Marine, and Mounted units, the shift indicator shall follow the unit number. o Canine officers shall utilize the prefix “K9” and unit numbers in the 1-20 series. o Aviation units shall utilize the prefix “Air” and unit numbers in the 1-9 series. o Marine units shall utilize the prefix “Marine” and unit numbers in the 1-12 series. o Mounted units shall utilize the prefix “Mounted” and unit numbers in the 1-40 series.

• Special Investigations Drug Dogs shall utilize the prefix “K9” and unit numbers series when on duty with their dogs. When on duty without their dogs, they shall utilize unit numbers without the “K9” prefix.

• Whenever jeeps are assigned to beach patrol, they shall be designated with the patrol beat number wherein they are assigned and that beat number will be followed by a suffix--the letter "J", which shall be preceded by the shift indicator.

• Animal Control special assignments will be made in the 950 and 970 series. • Chaplains shall utilize unit designators from CHAP1 through CHAP59. Chaplain Aides shall utilize

unit designators from CA1 through CA25. • School Resource Officers (SRO) shall utilize unit designators from 50-59 series. • Community Service Officers (CSO) shall utilize the 10-19 (1st Pct), 20-29 (2nd Pct), 30-39 (3rd Pct) and

40-49 (4th Pct) preceded by the prefix CS. For example, “CS 10”. • Parking Enforcement Specialist Team Units (PEST) shall utilize the prefix “PST” and unit numbers 10-

19 (1st Pct), 20-29 (2nd Pct), 30-39 (3rd Pct) and 40-49 (4th Pct). For example, “PST40.” PEST units will also utilize shift designators A, B, C, D, E, F or X.

2. Summer Beat Operations and Traffic Direction Units

• Walking beats can be assigned from 1st St. to 42nd St. When assigned to the oceanfront area Beat Units shall be assigned the Prefix “B” on lineups. When verbally communicating the unit will use the term “Beat” and the corresponding block number for the assigned area as a designator. o Beat units covering Atlantic Ave shall utilize the block number for the assigned area and a shift

indicator (D, E, F or X). o Boardwalk beat units can be assigned from 1st St. to 42nd St. Boardwalk Beat Units shall be assigned

the Prefix “BW” on the lineup. When verbally communicating the unit will use the term “Boardwalk” and the corresponding block number for the assigned area as a designator. BW units will use shift indicator (D, E, F or X).

o Beat Units or Boardwalk units may have an extension of 1 through 5; for example, “B21E1” or “B21E2” or “BW21E1” or “BW21E2.”

o Splitting a two officer beat unit: When it becomes necessary for a beat unit to split, for example, one officer responds to the Precinct with an arrest while the second officer remains behind, the following shall occur: a. The officer acting upon a law enforcement or departmental action will retain the unit designator. b. The officer remaining on the street will partner with a second beat and if necessary will utilize

that beat designator until that officer is reunited with his/her partner. • Bike units assigned to oceanfront operations shall use the prefix “BK” on lineups. When verbally

communicating the unit will use the term “Bike” and shall be assigned unit numbers in the 1-49 series. When feasible, this should correspond with the assigned area of coverage. These units shall use the appropriate shift indicator (D, E, F or X).

• Motorcycle units assigned to oceanfront operations shall use the prefix “MC” on lineups. When verbally communicating the unit will use the term “Motor” and shall be assigned unit numbers in the 1-20 series. When feasible, this should correspond with the assigned area of coverage. These units shall use the appropriate shift indicator (D, E, F or X). Special Operations motorcycle units are exempt from this provision.

11.16 Police Communications Page 3 of 6

Original: 09-30-2005 - Effective: 03-18-2011 - Amends: 09-01-2009 - Review: 2017

• Transport units assigned to oceanfront operations shall use the prefix “TR” on lineups. When verbally communicating the unit will use the term “Transport” and shall be assigned unit numbers in the 1-10 series. These units shall use the appropriate shift indicator (D, E, F or X).

• ATV units assigned to oceanfront operations shall use the prefix “ATV” on lineups. When verbally communicating the unit will use the term “ATV” and shall be assigned unit numbers in the 1-5 series. These units shall use the appropriate shift indicator D, E, F or X).

• Traffic direction units assigned to oceanfront operations shall use the prefix “T” on lineups. When verbally communicating the unit will use the term “Traffic” and shall be assigned unit numbers in the 1-99 series. These units shall use the appropriate shift indicator (D, E, F or X). Traffic Units may have an extension of 1 though 9.

• Units assigned to a Post shall use the prefix “P” on the lineup. When verbally communicating the unit will use the term “Post” and shall be assigned unit number in the 1-99 series. These units shall use the appropriate shift indicator (“D, E, F or X”). Post units may have an extension of 1-9.

• All Ocean Front units should be aware that in the event that they (Beat, Boardwalk, Bike, Motor, Traffic or Post) attempt to sign onto a MDT that they must use a two digit unit number. For example, Motor 5 would have to sign on as “MC05E” instead of “MC5E”. Bike 21E would sign of as “BK21E”. This is only for CAD purposes only.

3. Mobile Tactics and Special Events Units

• Mobile Tactics units shall use the prefix “Alpha” or “Bravo” and unit numbers in the 10-29 series, prefixed by the precinct designator. The shift indicator “D” or “E” shall follow the unit number.

4. During special events, such as the fourth of July at Mount Trashmore, units shall use the prefix “SE” on

lineups. When verbally communicating the unit will use the term “Special Events” and shall be assigned unit numbers in the 1-50 series, prefixed by the precinct designator in which the event is occurring.

5. The following shift indicators shall be utilized when required by this order:

• “A” shall be the indicator for day shift assignments. • “B” shall be the indicator for evening shift assignments. • “C” shall be the indicator for midnight shift assignments. • “D” shall be the indicator for day shift oceanfront assignments or by other commands depending on the

need and the hours worked. • “E” shall be the indicator for night shift oceanfront assignments or by other commands depending on the

need and the hours worked. • “X” shall be the indicator for departmental paid overtime. • “F” shall be the indicator for non-departmental paid overtime.

Patrol Lineups 1. Precinct patrol supervisors will use the PD-246 to organize the assignment of precinct units

• Lineups shall clearly specify the area responsibilities for the patrol unit and list all personnel assigned to that unit.

• Lineups shall clearly designate the on duty supervisor of each officer. • The lineup shall identify any special assignments to which any unit is assigned. • In addition to internal command requirements, all lineups shall be emailed to “ComIT 911 Police

Lineup” and the Command Duty Officers. Lineups shall be kept on file in the precinct or bureau in accordance with records retention protocols.

11.16 Police Communications Page 4 of 6

Original: 09-30-2005 - Effective: 03-18-2011 - Amends: 09-01-2009 - Review: 2017

Use of Plain Language and MDT Codes 1. It will be the practice of all Virginia Beach Police personnel to utilize plain language communications when

speaking over the radio. When utilizing the MDT, the below codes will be utilized as computer codes for CAD purposes only. Each officer will follow training guidelines in the use of these codes.

Action MDT Code Action MDT Code Lunch/Dinner MEAL Gas Up vehicle GASV Break BRAK Traffic Stops T* Assist Citizen ASTC Court CORT Radar Assignment RADA Supervisor on Scene ONSC Roadblock RDBL Assisting another Officer ASTO* Building / Business Check BDCK Directed Patrol DPAT Officer Initiated Investigation OINV* Follow up Investigation FINV Mail/Property Transfer MAIL Prisoner in Custody PRIS Warrant/Court Papers Served WRNT/SRVP* Maintenance MAIN Lecture and Training TRNG Special Assignment/Planned

Patrol SPAS

School Patrol/partnership SPAT - Headquarters or Precinct PREC * Traffic Stops, Officer Initiated Investigations, Assisting another Officer and Warrant/Court Papers Served cannot be generated from the officer’s MDT. These out of service events can only be generated by the Dispatcher.

Communication Terminology The use of plain language reduces the chance of confusion and misunderstanding when communicating with outside agencies. The use of a common terminology supports the ICS/NIMS protocols and will create a method by which Virginia Beach Police personnel can more effectively communicate with outside agencies during regional or national disasters.

Terminology Meaning

Unable to copy (static, breaking out, etc.) Reception poor

Clear Reception good

Okay or 10-4 Acknowledgement (OK)

Off duty or police vehicle disabled Off duty or police vehicle down

Available In-Service (available)

Slow response Units responding slow to Code 3

Disregard response Disregard response Location Location

11.16 Police Communications Page 5 of 6

Original: 09-30-2005 - Effective: 03-18-2011 - Amends: 09-01-2009 - Review: 2017

Registration check Request for vehicle registration

NCIC check Request check for stolen vehicle

Time check Request for time On scene At scene

Clear Cleared scene

Letter Phonetic Letter

A Alpha B Bravo C Charlie D Delta E Echo F Foxtrot G Golf H Hotel I India J Juliet K Kilo L Lima M Mike N November O Oscar P Papa Q Quebec R Romeo S Sierra T Tango U Uniform V Victor W Whiskey X X-ray Y Yankee Z Zulu

11.16 Police Communications Page 6 of 6

Original: 09-30-2005 - Effective: 03-18-2011 - Amends: 09-01-2009 - Review: 2017

Code Meaning

Key holder Business owner

Subject is deceased Subject dead

Air Restricted No radio traffic unless related to current incident

Resume Normal Air Radio traffic can return to normal

Traffic Fatality Traffic fatality or "41" Negative or No No