Communications Policy
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Source file: 1.02 Communications Policy.pdf. Policy dates appear on the original cover. Page links use the PDF's page order.
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Policy & Procedures No. 1.02
Subject:
Communications
Issuing Authority: Effective Date: Review Date:
Chief of Police 10/30/2013 10/24/2023
References:
Review Revised:
Revision 01/11/18
Reissued 10/26/2020
Dates:
CALEA STANDARDS:
81.2.2 81.2.8 81.3.2 81.3.4
The basic function of the communications system is to satisfy the immediate
Discussion information needs of the law enforcement agency in the course of its normal
daily activities and during emergencies.
It is the latter, which places the greatest demands upon the communications
system and tests the capability of the system to fulfill its function.
It is the policy of the Canton Police Department to ensure compliance with
Policy the following standards.
The radio systems of the Canton Police Department, both primary and
Radio Testing secondary shall be such to allow for twenty-four (24) hour two-way
[81.2.2] communication capabilities between the command center and all officers on-
duty, and be tested semi-annually to ensure proper operation. The radio repair
vendor shall provide the agency with written reports as to their findings and
any suggested measures to correct the deficiencies. A designated Superior
Officer shall be responsible for seeing that testing is completed in a timely
fashion and that a file is kept on the results of such tests. These files are
located in the administrative files in the office of the Chief of Police.
Canton Police Department’s Communications Policy Page 102PDF page 2Read textHide text
In the event of a joint operation, the radio system contains separate
BAPERN channels/frequencies that connect the Canton Police to contiguous
81.3.4 communities. Authorization for use of these channels shall be made by the
Incident Commander. See Appendix A and B for a complete breakdown of all
available channels and the designated districts.
To ensure that each officer is in twenty-four (24) hour two-way radio
Portable communication, each officer shall be issued a portable radio, a detachable
Radios “collar” microphone, a detachable ear piece, two batteries and a charger. Each
officer shall be responsible for ensuring that the radio is in good operating
condition prior to the start of each shift. 81.2.2
All telephone calls received on the Canton Police Department’s emergency
Recorded lines and all police radio communications will be recorded. 81.2.8 (2A, 8)
Communications
81.2.8 All Audio recordings will be saved for a period of not less than thirty (30)
days. If during that period of time, no request has been made for information,
it may be erased and the space reused to record additional telephone calls.
81.2.8 The responsibility for securing all recordings and records pertaining to calls
received, radio transmissions and NG911 will belong to the Administrative
Sergeant. This officer will ensure that all digital recordings and records are
stored in a locked secure place; on the State’s recorder/server in the 911-
Communications room in the basement or in evidence if case is criminal.
Only the Administrative Sergeant or his/her designee and MIS personnel will
have the authority to access this secure area. 81.2.8 (5A,D,E,11A)
All NG911 certified personnel will have the authority to playback recorded
conversations with no prior approval needed. Only the most recent 4 hours of
recordings can be accessed. These recordings will be available ONLY for
clarification or investigative purposes, emergency purposes, or when
requested by the Department Prosecutor for purposes of court prosecution.
81.2.8 (6A,B,C,)
The Administrative Sergeant is to be notified by email when a recording
needs to be accessed that is beyond the restricted time frame or when a
recording needs to be downloaded to support criminal charges. 81.2.8
(6A,B, 7)
Canton Police Department’s Communications Policy Page 203PDF page 3Read textHide text
Radio Recordings
Radio recordings will be retained for a period of not less than one year
provided no litigation is pending. 81.2.8 (9) These recordings will be
securely stored on the hard drive of the State’s recorder/server system which
is contained in a locked room, Communications Room, in the basement.
Only the Administrative Sergeant or his/her designee and MIS personnel will
have the authority to access this secure area. 81.2.8 (11A,E)
These stored recordings can be reviewed for clarification, training,
investigation, court, and internal affairs to name a few. 81.2.8 (12A) An
email is to be sent to the Administrative Sergeant for help in reviewing any
stored recordings. 81.2.8 (12B)
In accordance with M.G.L. c 6a §18g, NG911 recordings shall be maintained
E911 Recordings for a period of not less than one (1) year providing no litigation is pending.
and Records 81.2.8 (4A)
In accordance with M.G.L. c 6a § 18A-18F, call detail NG911 records shall
be maintained for period of not less than three (3) years. 81.2.8 (4B)
The Canton Police Department maintains a digital recording system, which
Instant enables instant playback (for most recent 4 hours of recordings) of all
Playback incoming/outgoing police radio communications, business telephone lines and
Recorders the NG911 system. 81.2.8 (2A, 8A)
[81.2.8]
The instant playback system can be accessed from the console in the MIS
office or from the two dispatch NG911 consoles in the Communications
Center. The digital playback recorder enables instant playback of a message
received over the radio, phone or 911 lines. All NG911 certified personnel
will have access to instant playback (with that 4-hour restriction) of these
communications. Playback will be for clarity, emergency, and investigative
purposes. No prior approval is needed to review these recordings. 81.2.8 (6A,
12C)
Canton Police Department’s Communications Policy Page 304PDF page 4Read textHide text
Alternate Power Source
[81.3.2]
The Canton Police Department’s Communications Center shall have available
an alternate power supply via a generator sufficient to ensure continued
operation of emergency communications and public safety communications
equipment in the event of primary power loss (1). The generator shall be
maintained by a third-party contractor, FM Generator. Maintenance includes
regularly documented and scheduled testing including a Full-Load test. This
is to confirm the generator is in good working condition and is sufficient to
meet the department’s needs. (2B) Recorded documentation can be made in
the form of inspection and observation of a self-testing generator’s
performance once a month (2A,4,5).
In the event the agency loses power and the generator turns on, the desk officer
will make a log entry into IMC using Power Outage as the call reason. In
addition, whenever the desk officer hears the generator turning on, a log entry
will be made indicating such.
APPENDIX A
Radio Channels
Review Date: 10/29/2023
#1 = Canton PD
#2 = Weymouth PD
#3 = Wrentham PD
#4 = Foxboro PD
#5 = Foxboro Channel 3
#6 = Foxboro Stadium
#7 = MBTA Police
#8 = Area Wide A
#9 = Area Wide B
#10 = Area Wide C
#11 = Area Wide D
#12 = Area Wide E
#13 = City Wide
#14 = Inter OPS
#15 = Mobile OPS
#16 = METRO – STAR
Canton Police Department’s Communications Policy Page 405PDF page 5Read textHide text
APPENDIX B
Greater Boston Police Council BAPERN Membership
Legend
0 2 4 8 Miles
NORTHWEST
sourn
west
UNENBURG
STERLING
BOYLSTON
a
MARSHFIELD
Data Sources BRIDGEWATER
MassachusettsTown Boundary
layer was from MassGIS and the
GBPC BAPERN membershipinformationwas provided by
the Police Department.
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BROOKLINE WAREHAM
GIS ·Mappingther aly SAA FALL RIVER
Canton Police Department’s Communications Policy Page 506PDF page 6Read textHide text
Greater Boston Police Council BAPERN Membership
Legend
0 2 4 8 Miles
NORTHWEST
soutn
west
BOYLSTON
3
a
MARSHFIELD
PEMBROKE
wad
Data Sources
MassachusettsTown Boundary
layer was from MassGIS and the
GBPCBAPERN membership
informationwas provided by
the Police Department.
Map createsprojectsghpe-bapernby Brookline GIS on 84.07/05 and Map Dex: aS
BROOKLINE WAREHAM
GIS
·Mappingthee FALL RIVER in
Canton Police Department’s Communications Policy Page 6