RADIO VOICE PROCEDURES

INTRODUCTION
Communications such as telephones, radios, faxes etc are an important part of day to day running of custody.
This session is on radio communication, voice procedures and communication networks.
Custodial officers will at times be involved in emergency situations where accurate and concise Radio Voice
Procedures (RVP) will play an important role in the outcome of an emergency

RVP – WHY IS IT NECESSARY?

Every word we say can be heard by people who we may not want to know what we are
planning or doing. Even the best of radio communications can suffer from interference,
which can result in misunderstood messages. Without a procedure the use of radio
communications can become undisciplined resulting in chaos. Correct voice procedures
are essential to prevent confusion and ensure accuracy.

Procedure is therefore a set of rules designed to provide:

 • Security
• Accuracy
• Discipline
The catchword is SAD

S - SECURITY
In the interests of security, all transmission by radio are to be short and concise as possible, consistent with
clarity. Unless encrypted, other listeners can monitor radio networks, therefore officer’s names, offender’s names
(if possible) and security information should not be transmitted.
• Never swear or use offensive language
• Be careful that you do not leave the PTT button on.

A - ACCURACY
Make sure that the message is as concise as possible ensuring all information to be passed is efficiently. You
must include sufficient detail so that the receiver who cannot see you and read your body language, or see the
environment around you, can understand what you are talking about.

D - DISCIPLINE
Do not ramble on or use the radio for unauthorised transmissions. Failing to maintain discipline on busy radio
networks creates confusion, reduces reliability and clarity of the message.

APPLICATION OF RVP

To commence radio communication it is important to apply the following:

• RHYTHM: The rhythm of your speech should remain the same at all times. Decide what you are going to
say prior to commencing transmission.
• SPEED: Keep your speech at a constant rate. Avoid long pauses and avoid the use of hesitant words
such as ‘um’ and ‘er’. Talk slightly slower than normal.
• VOLUME: Shouting causes distortion. Avoid variations in the intensity of your speech.

1. CHANNEL ONE

This channel will be used for normal day-to-day transmissions.

2. CHANNEL TWO

This channel will only be used if the repeater fails and communication is lost on channel one. If this happens,
control will request all radios be changed to channel two.

General Guidelines

• Transmissions need to be brief and simple

• The microphone is to be close to, but not touching the mouth when transmitting
• Speech should be slightly slower than in normal conversation
• If a radio network is unencrypted, sensitive topics are best discussed via telephone.
• The phonetic alphabet is to be used at all times
• 24 hour time is to be used at all times
• Profanity and chit-chat are not permitted
• Staff names are not to be used

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 • Strict adherence to call signs and operating procedures is compulsory

PRO-WORDS

Pro-word Meaning

Correct What has been transmitted is correct.

An error has been made in the transmission and the previous word or
Correction
phrase is corrected.
From The call sign of the originator of the transmission.

I say again I am repeating the last transmission.

I spell I shall spell the word phonetically.

Out Indicates that transmission is complete and reply is not expected.

Over Indicates that transmission is complete but reply is expected.

Radio-check A request to determine quality of reception by another call-sign.

Read Back A request to repeat the last transmission as it was received.

Relay to A request to relay a message to other call signs.

Roger Message received and understood.

Say again A request for an entire message to be repeated.

Say again all after A request for a portion of a message to be repeated.

Speak Slower Your transmission is at too fast a speed. Repeat transmission slower.

This is This transmission is from the call sign which follows.

Wait I must pause a few seconds.

Wait out I must pause longer than a few seconds.

Wilco Message received, acknowledged and will comply.

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When transmitting groups of figures, each figure must be spoken separately ie. Six, zero, six – not six hundred
and six. The transmission of each group or series of groups must be preceded by the word FIGURES. The
following pronunciation of figures will be observed:

0 – Zero
1 – Wun
2 – Too
3 – Three
4 – Fower
5 – Fi-ver
6 – Six
7 – Seven
8 – Ait
9 – Ni-ner

3.2 PHONETIC ALPHABET

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

EXAMPLE OF TRANSMISSIONS USING VOICE PROCEDURES

SINGLE STATION

Call Sign Identifies the station being called

This Is Indicates that the call sign of the calling station will follow
Call Sign Identifies the calling station
Text The message
Ending Sign Denotes the message has ended

Radio Nets

Radio communications during an emergency are vital and discipline must be maintained at all times. To prevent
further confusion and ensure that the correct people get the information and messages they need, radio
communications need to be structured. To ensure that radio communications are structured radio nets are
utilised, this is a proven system of radio communication that prevents confusion and maintains discipline when
using multi agency response units.

A radio net is a group of radio stations (often multi agency) operating on the same frequency for the purpose of
communicating with each other. A radio net is comprised of a control station and one or more sub stations. In an
emergency the command post will be the control station. The radio operator in the command post has the
responsibility of maintaining radio discipline and ensuring the effective clearance of messages.

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The radio net is designated a call sign and all stations are required to respond when this call sign is used by the
net control station.

Within a radio net can be a series of radio sub nets. These sub nets are designated a call sign, this call sign
identifies these stations on the radio net, but not all stations.

Example:
The call sign for the radio net Alfa Bravo
The call sign for the control post Charlie Papa
The call sign for the Inner Perimeter India Papa
The call sign for the outer perimeter Oscar Papa

To send a message to all radio stations the command post would call:

Alfa Bravo….this is…..Charlie Papa…..Over

This alerts all stations that the command post has a message for them and they need to stand by to receive the
message.

To send a message to the inner perimeter the command post would use the radio sub net call sign.
India Papa….this is …..Charlie Papa….Over
This alerts the inner perimeter stations that the command post has a message for them, and that all other stations
do not need to acknowledge receipt of the message.

Individual stations within the Radio Net also have call signs. The call sign will incorporate a number i.e. India
Papa One, Oscar Papa Two etc. This enables the Command post and other stations to call individual stations
within the radio net or radio sub net.
India Papa one ….this is Charlie Papa …. Over
This alerts the station India Papa One and all other stations that only India Papa One needs to respond to the
command post.

Order of Calling and Answering

Stations are to be called and are to answer in alphabetical order.

Example:
Radio Net Call-sign Alfa Bravo
Individual Station Call signs India Papa One
Charlie Papa One

Command post calls all stations on the Radio Net

Alfa Bravo….this is Command Post…..Over
The stations will acknowledge the command post in the following order:

Call sign Order of answer

India Papa One 2
Charlie Papa One 1

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If several stations are called in one transmission and one fails to answer in turn then the next in line will answer
after a 5 second pause. The station that failed to answer is to respond last if they are able to do so.

DURESS ALARMS PROCEDURE

Listed below is the Duress Alarms Procedure:

1. Once the duress alarm is depressed, the following events will occur
2. Control will immediately dispatch the internal patrol to the employee in distress and will also notify the
Supervisor
3. The radio in duress will not receive any transmissions until the radio is reset by keying the handset switch
4. Control must reset the master base station by depressing the red reset button
5. Once the duress button is depressed on a radio, any further depressing will not have any effect as there
is a time delay function fitted to the master base station, which lasts for four minutes. Employees are to
have faith in the system

CONCLUSION

During this session you have learnt the core components of RVP’s used within the CSCS contract on a daily
basis and during an emergency. RVP’s need to be used properly to ensure information being passed is not
misunderstood.

Be security conscious when using a radio. Remember that other people can listen to our radio communications,
the media and ‘ham’ radio operators are two easily identified groups, and that it has been found that prisoners
have used their radios to listen and tape communications. Use the radio procedures and minimise the chances of
this happening.

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