I don't usually complain about our police officers, but, I have witnessed numerous officers driving in both marked and unmarked cars (state and county) talking on their cellphones. If its against the law for us why not them? Why aren't they able to use hands free just like us?
Spending "Billions" to upgrade the communications system?
The Local police did not write the law, the legislature in Annapolis did that. I suppose your complaint should be aimed at them, don't you think?
Our local cops use their personal phones all the time for communications. Believe it or not, it's more secure. Anyone with a computer can monitor the police radio right now but can't track cell phone calls. All of this is done at the expense of the deputies because most of the agencies do not supply phones or pay for cell service. I'm not sure if that's true for all agencies but I know it is for some.
You also forgot to mention that every time you see them driving off duty that they're speeding.
Spending "Billions" to upgrade the communications system?
The Local police did not write the law, the legislature in Annapolis did that. I suppose your complaint should be aimed at them, don't you think?
Our local cops use their personal phones all the time for communications. Believe it or not, it's more secure. Anyone with a computer can monitor the police radio right now but can't track cell phone calls. All of this is done at the expense of the deputies because most of the agencies do not supply phones or pay for cell service. I'm not sure if that's true for all agencies but I know it is for some.
You also forgot to mention that every time you see them driving off duty that they're speeding.
Not sure who you were responding to... all of the above??
I didn't take TPD's post as saying anything against LEOs, but just asking why we are still spending so much on Radio Communications, if cellular is the preferred method of communciation.. I personally don't know enough about how each is used in this arena to comment on that..
When the post starts out with "I don't usually complain about our police officers", I would consider this a complaint. We spend money on radio communications because that is how most police communicate with dispatch as well as each other. If the emergency dispatcher needs to broadcast a lookout for a bank robber or a shooter somewhere, they do it on the radio so that ALL ON DUTY POLICE can hear the call . I don't think they want to make individual cell calls to the officers personal phones. Now imagine a scenario where a deputy is headed to a domestic violence call (a 10-16) where there is a violent felon. Another deputy who can't respond to that call knows that that particular person has a history of violence with the police. He can now make a call to the officer who is responding to the call and let that officer know what he/she is headed into. Just for officer safety if nothing else. He can also do it without warning the felon. If it were broadcast over the radio, anyone with a computer or a scanner can hear it. Why do you seem to have a problem with police using their cell phones?
There is an idiot above who thinks that the police use of cell phones is ripe for abuse and thinks that everything should be recorded. I don't think the public has the "RIGHT" to monitor police communications. For example, Charles County Sheriffs have an encrypted system that can't be monitored with a scanner.
When the post starts out with "I don't usually complain about our police officers", I would consider this a complaint. We spend money on radio communications because that is how most police communicate with dispatch as well as each other. If the emergency dispatcher needs to broadcast a lookout for a bank robber or a shooter somewhere, they do it on the radio so that ALL ON DUTY POLICE can hear the call . I don't think they want to make individual cell calls to the officers personal phones. Now imagine a scenario where a deputy is headed to a domestic violence call (a 10-16) where there is a violent felon. Another deputy who can't respond to that call knows that that particular person has a history of violence with the police. He can now make a call to the officer who is responding to the call and let that officer know what he/she is headed into. Just for officer safety if nothing else. He can also do it without warning the felon. If it were broadcast over the radio, anyone with a computer or a scanner can hear it. Why do you seem to have a problem with police using their cell phones?
There is an idiot above who thinks that the police use of cell phones is ripe for abuse and thinks that everything should be recorded. I don't think the public has the "RIGHT" to monitor police communications. For example, Charles County Sheriffs have an encrypted system that can't be monitored with a scanner.
My point was why should we get pulled over for driving while talking on the cell and they are allowed to talk on theirs. I followed an unmarked home yesterday from Waldorf talking on her cell, she ran off the road twice.
My point was why do we need so many forms of communication for our emergency personnel? Lets pick one and stop wasting taxpayer money. If all police cars and officers are equipped with cells and laptops, why continue spending money on radios that only seem to get us 70% coverage and tech support for 8 years before becoming obsolete?
My point was why do we need so many forms of communication for our emergency personnel? Lets pick one and stop wasting taxpayer money. If all police cars and officers are equipped with cells and laptops, why continue spending money on radios that only seem to get us 70% coverage and tech support for 8 years before becoming obsolete?
I didn't ask you.
My point was why should we get pulled over for driving while talking on the cell and they are allowed to talk on theirs. I followed an unmarked home yesterday from Waldorf talking on her cell, she ran off the road twice.
Please tell me this was in response to Clem...
You have earned points now don't blow it by trying to appear superior by calling everyone idots or their thoughts are idiotic. Otherwise you will sound just like him.
Calm and cool....