Different Types of Police Radio Systems For Law Enforcement

Police radio systems are a crucial part of law enforcement. Most modern police frequencies are encrypted to prevent eavesdropping from the public. Two-way radios for police are very different from commercial walkie-talkies sold to the public. They are more durable and offer better security features. It is legal to listen to police frequencies if you have the proper equipment. You can find police radio scanners at most electronics stores and online.

Walkie-Talkies

Police and public safety officers use walkie-talkies to communicate. These handheld radio devices allow them to talk with each other across a large area instantaneously. They need to know where they are and what is happening to respond instantly to emergencies. They use P25 radios with standards developed specifically for the public safety industry. These radios offer more channels than a commercial walkie-talkie and are durable and designed to be used in rough environments. They can also be adapted to work with mobile network infrastructures for nationwide and global coverage.

While the range of a walkie-talkie is often advertised as being up to 30 miles, this depends on many conditions like line of sight, wattage and antennas. These radios also can be interrupted by obstacles that would block the signal. For this reason, they should be stored in a protective case when not in use. Listening to the radio for high-priority calls is also a good idea.

P25 Two-Way Radios

When police officers are in a standoff with a dangerous suspect, or firefighters are trapped in a collapsed building, life-or-death messages must get through. That’s why they need mission-critical P25 two-way radios that are dependable, secure and uncompromised by challenging conditions. The Motorola police radios redefine security in portable communication. They are designed with the user in mind, from the rugged, easy-to-use design to the loudest, clearest audio. They also meet the specific communication standards of different public safety agencies to help them protect their communities and support neighboring communities. While the frequencies used by police are usually open, many agencies are now switching to encrypted frequencies to prevent the public from listening in on their communications and interfering with their operations. However, if you know how to program your police scanner correctly, you can still track the frequency of distress calls received and dispatched. It is a popular hobby among civilians who enjoy following the work of police and other emergency service teams.

Mobile Two-Way Radios

Many people view handheld radios unfavorably and think of bulky, old-fashioned devices. Today’s radio solutions, on the other hand, are streamlined, small, and made to fit the requirements of all sizes of enterprises. With the power and functionality of a smartphone in a durable, handheld device, two-way radios are the fastest and easiest way to communicate. Mobile two-way radios are installed in police cars, making it easy for them to respond to emergency calls when on the go. They can also monitor traffic and communicate with other officers while on patrol. Currently, most police vehicles have P25 two-way radios that use a certain frequency and prevent the public from listening in.

POC Radios

The radios used by police have high security to prevent criminals from listening in on conversations. Radios can also communicate across long distances and are often used for emergencies.

A POC radio is a push-to-talk digital cellular and two-way radio system that uses mobile phone networks to communicate with other users. It offers all the functions and features of modern two-way radio and can be easily deployed nationwide without infrastructure costs. POC radios offer many benefits, such as instant communication, GPS location tracking, lone worker and man-down functions, and more. They work over multiple networks, including 3G, 4G and WiFi, using the same technology as commercial smartphones. Some radios are compatible with BYOD (bring your device) software and can be used on the same mobile phone employees use for personal purposes. It makes training staff easy. Cellular radios also provide more functionality than traditional walkie-talkie devices and allow for interaction over large distances domestically, regionally or internationally.