NARCOTICS BUREAU
DETECTIVE DIVISION
LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
Bureau Order Number: 2-10
Subject: USE OF COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
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Effective Date: |
07/01/2008 |
Last Date Revised: |
10/15/2019 |
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Last Date Reviewed: |
04/01/2021 |
Next Review Date: |
04/01/2022 |
I. CONCEPT AND ISSUES
A. Purpose
The purpose of this order is to establish policy and procedure for the field use of communications equipment issued to Narcotics Bureau personnel. The intent of this order is to increase safety and coordination for tactical field operations (e.g., surveillances, search warrants, buy-busts, reverse stings, undercover meets, etc.).
B. Scope of Policy
This order applies to all Narcotics Bureau personnel.
C. Accountability
NOTE: Bureau Order #2-10 must be read in conjunction with Bureau Orders # 5-8 (Operations Plans), #6-1 (Search warrants, Probation and Parole Searches, Consent Searches & Arrest Warrants), and #6-11 (Tactical Building Entry Operations) to obtain a full understanding of the scope of these orders. Each contains subject matter and information regarding tactical operations that is interrelated and compliments material in each of the other three orders.
All Bureau personnel will be held accountable for being familiar with and strictly adhering to the individual and collective contents of these orders. Sergeants and lieutenants are responsible for ensuring that their subordinates are aware of and comply with these orders.
Bureau members are issued communications and safety equipment including cell phones and car mounted radios and/or portable radios for use during field
operations (e.g., surveillances, search warrants, buy-busts, reverse stings, undercover meets, etc.).
Department issued car mounted and/or portable radios should be the primary communication devices used during field operations (e.g. search warrants services, buy-busts, reverse stings, undercover meets, etc.). Tactical operations shall be conducted using Department radios and on tactical frequencies.
All emergency broadcasts, (e.g. vehicle pursuits, foot pursuits, deputy involved shootings, etc.) shall be made using a department radio over a “working” S.C.C. frequency. Initial coordination shall be made via the working frequency and moved to a tactical frequency identified by S.C.C. at the earliest, practical opportunity.
Field personnel should not substitute cell phones or the push to talk feature of cell phones for Department radio communications. While cell phone technology can augment our communications, it shall not be routinely used as a substitute for Department radios. Limited exceptions for this would include multi-agency task force type operations while working in conjunction with our law enforcement partners (i.e. HSI, DEA, FBI, etc.). Field personnel shall at all times during tactical operations, have a radio at their immediate disposal, tuned to a common tactical frequency and have the ability to select a working frequency or, use an emergency trigger to communicate directly with S.C.C. for emergency radio communication.
While there may be a need for undercover personnel to forgo personal possession of a radio so as not to reveal their identity when coming in contact with suspects, the other operational personnel must be equipped with a radio to monitor a tactical frequency and/or a working frequency for emergency communications and coordination of responses among Bureau, other agency or Departmental personnel.
Operations plans for tactical operations shall identify a department tactical and working frequency of the nearest Sheriff’s station for emergency use. While any deputy may make an emergency broadcast to S.C.C., a designated deputy shall be assigned as the radio deputy for communications with S.C.C. in support of the tactical operation.
For operations outside of reliable radio communications due to distance from S.C.C. or physical restrictions (e.g., outside of Los Angeles County or inside LAX terminals etc.), an assigned communications deputy shall determine emergency telephone numbers for contact with the local law enforcement agency to coordinate any required emergency response prior to the operation.
NOTE: Personnel assigned to multi-agency task forces shall use the radios common to all members as approved by the task force director.
B. Cell phones
Cell phones (i.e. Nextel, Verizon, iPhones, etc.) are issued to allow routine communications for investigators while they are in the field. Cell phones are not issued with the intent of replacing Department radios. While conducting tactical operations, field personnel shall not substitute cell phones or the “push to talk” feature of cell phones for Department radio communications. While cell phone technology can augment our communications, they shall not be routinely utilized as a substitute for Department radios during tactical operations.
ORIGINAL SIGNED
LOY L. MCBRIDE, CAPTAIN
NARCOTICS BUREAU