Radio Procedures - Assignments, Request For Transcripts, Portable Radios

Policy

• Omaha Police Department (OPD) policy mandates all sworn and non-sworn personnel adhere to radio procedures.
• Requests for 911 transcripts, recordings, etc., must be directed to Douglas County Communications Department (DCCD).

Definitions

• Assembly Area: Designated location within Omaha for officer reporting and assignment.
• Beat: Patrol district (foot, car, cycle, boat, or air).
• District: Subdivision of a sergeant's patrol area.

Procedure

Assignments to Areas and Districts

• Most OPD units are assigned to the Uniformed Patrol Bureau (UPB).
• Units are assigned geographic districts, areas, or precincts for patrol, calls, and traffic control.
• Units remain within their assigned boundaries, except for:
  • Dispatch by 911 outside assigned area: return to the assigned area after call.
  • Precinct captains may expand officer geographic areas (for violent crime, identified crime patterns, ongoing traffic violations, but documentation needed if more than 4 days).
  • Precinct may assign secondary district responsibility to officers for additional coverage.
  • Precinct command may assign officers to mutual patrol areas for specific public safety issues.

Staffing

• "At-large car" or "Paul" unit may be assigned for special problems, remaining available for calls.
• Units may not leave their assigned Sergeant's or geographic area, except for radio assignment, out-of-service reporting, or command direction.
  • Units report 10-7 to Central Station or 10-10 to Assembly Areas for police business.
  • For excessive off-beat assignments, 911 Dispatch must be notified .
  • Report 10-7 to garage for repairs, returning to area after completion.
  • Changes in location, even for 10-7 or 10-10 status, must be notified to the dispatcher.

Requests for Records

• 911 communications are recorded and stored digitally.
• Douglas County Communications Department retains records for 90 days.
• Requests for records (audio, transcripts, CAD data) are made online.
• Emergency requests may be processed through a direct supervisor.

Portable Radios

On-Duty

• Officers leaving cars report to 911 as 10-10 (on portable, available).
• Upon returning to cruisers, report 10-8 (in service).
• If contact with Information Channel needed, 911 Dispatch is notified of the change and return.

Off-Duty

• Portable radios are used for certain circumstances (violence, etc.) and must be authorized for use.
• Radios must be returned to the designated area or assembly after the assigned period.

This quiz covers key policies and procedures of the Omaha Police Department, focusing on radio communication, assignment areas, and definitions of patrol terms. Test your understanding of the OPD's operational framework and protocols.