Communications Standards of Conduct Policy

Policy & Procedures                 No. 1.32
                                  Subject:
               Communications Standards of
               Conduct
                                  Issuing Authority:                                       Effective Date:   Review Date:
                     Chief of Police                       09/29/2014   10/11/2023
                                                                                 References:

 Review
 Revision   10/21/2016
 Reissued   10/26/2020
 Dates:

CALEA STANDARDS
41.3.7   81.2.2   81.2.4
81.1.2   81.2.3   81.2.10

    1.  Maintaining Communications

      Members on duty, or officially on call, shall be available to be contacted by radio
      communication, telephone (department issued or personally owned), mobile date terminal
      (MDT), or shall keep the dispatcher/communications center or their supervisor informed
       of the means by which they may be reached. 81.2.10

       Police personnel sent on a call shall, immediately upon arrival, notify dispatch. Upon
       completion of the call or assignment, police personnel shall notify the dispatch center that
       they are clear for reassignment and the final disposition code for the call that they were
       sent to. 81.2.3 K,L

      While on a motor vehicle stop, officers shall notify the dispatch center of: 81.2.4 A

         -   Location of the stop,
         -   Vehicle registration number, state of origin, and description, and
         -  Any requests needed,
         -  The final disposition of the stop.

    2. Improper Radio and/or Other Communications

      Members shall refrain from unnecessary conversation and/or the transmission of
       improper messages via radio communications, either voice, digital, electronic or wireless
      (MDT). 41.3.7 (3C)

    Canton Police Department’s Communications Standards of Conduct Policy     Page 1

All rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shall
    pertain to all Canton Police Department radio communications. (e.g. the use of obscene
   words or language, or the willful or malicious interference with any communications).
                                                                                   81.1.2

    All transmissions should pertain to police functions. Any improper use of the
   communications system may result in disciplinary action.

    All members are further advised that the Canton Police Department, in order to manage
     its communications systems, may at any time, with or without warning, monitor
   communications on any of tis systems, to include radio, computer, voice mail, telephone,
  MDT, etc.

3. Radio Communications in Field Operations

     It is the policy of the Canton Police Department to provide twenty-four (24) hour, two-
   way communications capabilities to ensure that police personnel in field assignments
   have continuous communications with dispatching officers, supervisors, patrol officers
   and other police personnel. 81.2.2

    All units in the field, excluding undercover operations, shall utilize at a minimum, a
    portable radio. Police personnel assigned to covert operations shall be equipped as
   necessary for their safety and security.

   Marked patrol units and motorcycles shall be equipped with vehicle radios and may be
   equipped with a mobile data terminal (MDT).

4.  Alternate means of Communication 81.2.10

   Radios are considered the primary method of communication. This allows all person on
    shift to be kept aware of what is happening. Everyone who needs to know the
   information must be able to have communication through a radio, telephone, MDT unit
    or a face-to-face meeting.

    Officers are allowed to use phones or MDT units when there is a need to share sensitive
   information that should not be overheard by the public. The shift sergeant must be kept
    apprised of important matters.

    Cell phones, either personal or department issued, are not to be used as a means of
    dispatch. Silent dispatch option is to be used instead if the information is sensitive and
    not to be overheard by the public.

    Cell phone use on a detail or other department related assignment is discouraged.  If an
   employee is out in public and needs to utilize his/her phone, it is recommended that it is
   done so out of sight of the public’s view.  It is permissible to use one’s personal or
   department issued cell phone while in a police vehicle only in an emergency situation.

 Canton Police Department’s Communications Standards of Conduct Policy     Page 2

5.  Telephone Availability at Place of Residence

   Department members shall ensure that a telephone (home phone or cell phone) is
    available at their place of residence for purposes of emergency mobilization and
    notification of available overtime opportunities.

   Those employees who are on-call should keep with them an operational cell phone so
   they can be reached during the duration they are on-call.

  A current list of all department employee’s contact numbers will be maintained and made
    available at each dispatch center. Members shall report any changes in telephone
   numbers to the Office of the Chief of Police within forty-eight (48) hours of such change.

6. Home Address

   Members shall provide the Department with the street address at which they reside.
   Members shall report any changes in their address to the Office of the Chief of Police
    within twenty-four (24) hours of such changes.

7.  Release of Telephone Number and Address Information

   Members shall not release the telephone number and/or address of other Department
   members to the general public or other persons.

8. Department Letterhead

   Members shall not sue Department letterhead for private correspondence. Department
    letterhead may be used for official correspondence outside of the Department with
    authorization by a Lieutenant or the Deputy Chief.

9.  Mailing Address

   Members shall not use the Department as a mailing address for private purposes without
    the permission of the Chief of Police.

 Canton Police Department’s Communications Standards of Conduct Policy     Page 3