Telecommunications
Course
Law Enforcement II
Unit II
Telecommunications
Rationale
Law enforcement officers are required to communicate. Most agencies use
radios and mobile data terminals to communicate with officers in the field.
It is important for students to learn these required forms of communication.
TEKS
§130.294(c)
(2)(A)(B)(C)(D)
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Identify the five components of the communication cycle.
2. Define diction, enunciation, and pronunciation.
3. Conduct telecommunications using mobile and hand-held radio
systems.
4. Conduct simulated radio communications.
5. Identify policies and procedures for proper mobile data terminal
usage.
6. Transmit and retrieve information over the mobile data terminal.
7. Disseminate data to multiple mobilized units using the mobile data
terminal.
Prior Student
Learning
Phonetic Alphabet
Engage
Discuss the following quote and the importance of radio communication to
law enforcement officers. Use the Discussion Rubric for assessment.
Estimated Time
2 hours
“Communication is everything for a police officer. His gun may be his most
powerful weapon, but his radio is his best friend. It’s his lifeline to
dispatchers.” – King 5 News, Pearson, WA
Essential Question
What methods of
communication do
officers have
available to them
and how are they
used?
Key Points
I. Communication Cycle
A. Message – the text or information of the communication; can be
verbal or nonverbal, even in a non-visual environment
B. Sender – transmits a message by selecting the words or actions to
convey meaning to the receiver, and solicits feedback from the
receiver to make sure the message was understood correctly
C. Medium – how the message is conveyed; represents the actions or
text (words, written or spoken) of the message. Noise, figurative or
literal, can sometimes hinder the message from being transferred
in a medium
D. Receiver – translates the sender’s message by giving meaning to
its actions or text; should provide feedback to the sender by stating
his or her understanding of the message or asking a clarifying
question
E. Feedback – the receiver’s understanding of the message or lack of
understanding is transmitted back to the sender; the most
important part of the communication cycle because it performs the
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verification function
II. Mobile and Handheld Radio Communications
A. Effective Radio Communications
1. Diction – an individual speaker’s accent, inflection, intonation,
and speech sound quality, which is usually judged in terms of
prevailing standards of acceptability
a) Enunciation – forming clear and distinct sounds into
words
b) Pronunciation – properly saying the sounds of a word
while stressing the correct syllable(s)
2. Appropriate rate of speech
a) Most people speak at a rate of over 100 words per
minute
b) Most people write at rate of only 20–30 words per minute
3. Appropriate message length
a) Messages should usually take no more than 30 seconds
of air time
b) Divide longer messages into segments with a 5–10
second break in between segments to allow another
user to speak for emergency traffic if necessary
c) Strive to provide the greatest amount of information in
the shortest period of time
4. Professional – avoid inappropriate language
5. Timely – immediately upon need
6. Easily understood by both the communication center and the
field units
7. Use the Phonetic Alphabet to clearly broadcast names,
vehicles, identification numbers, and addresses
a) Adam
b) Boy
c) Charles
d) David
e) Edward
f) Frank
g) George
h) Henry
i) Ida
j) John
k) King
l) Lincoln
m) Mary
n) Nora
o) Ocean
p) Paul
q) Queen
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r) Robert
s) Sam
t) Tom
u) Union
v) Victor
w) William
x) X-Ray
y) Young
z) Zebra
8. Concise
a) Clear speech policy – requires standardized words or
phrases with specific meanings; speak in plain language
B. Communication Challenges
1. Weather – conditions such as heavy clouds, and ice and
snow buildup on antennas can interfere with radio
transmissions and reception
2. Terrain – mountains, large bodies of salt water, and mineral
deposits can affect radio signal propagation
3. Buildings – those constructed out of metal and concrete
attenuate radio signals, particularly when using portable
radios inside such structures; apartment complexes also pose
transmission problems
4. Low batteries – reduce the level of radio signal output when
transmitting
C. Radio procedures
1. Know what you want to say before you key the microphone
on the radio
2. Press the key-up button located on the side of the radio or on
the handset. Hold it down for 5–10 seconds before beginning
to speak.
3. Hold the handset or radio 2–3 inches from your mouth so that
the transmission is not garbled
4. If the transmission is lengthy, break in the middle to let any
emergency radio traffic proceed; transmissions should not be
longer than 30 seconds at a time
5. Wait 5 seconds after ending the transmission before letting go
of the key button to ensure that the whole message transmits
III. Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) Policies and Procedures
A. Access
1. No officer may access the Texas Law Enforcement
Telecommunications System (TLETS) or the National Law
Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) without
having a current Texas Department of Public Safety “less
than full access” or equivalent certification
2. No officer shall allow another person who does not have the
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less than full access certification to access TLETS or NLETS
3. As soon as the desired TLETS/NLETS information has been
obtained from the MDT screen, the MDT screen shall be
cleared of the information
4. The MDT screen shall be positioned in a manner to prevent
unauthorized access to the information screen
B. Operations
1. Officers shall exercise care and caution when utilizing the
MDT while operating the vehicle to insure driver and public
safety and shall not take unnecessary or unreasonable risks
to operate the MDT
2. The MDT shall be adjusted to a position that makes the
screen easily readable and the keyboard easily accessible
3. Officers shall log-off from the MDT
a) When away from the vehicle for prolonged periods for
non-police activity (i.e., meal breaks)
b) When transferring the MDT to another user
c) At the end of the shift
C. Confirmation of all query hits
D. Recorded Data
1. All data transmitted over the MDT system is recorded in a
storage disk in the MDT server
2. The contents of the storage disk are reviewed periodically for
quality control purposes and/or to insure compliance with
directives
IV. MDT Usage
A. Codes for use and operation of MDTs vary by manufacturer. Get
assistance from your school resources officer or local law
enforcement agencies for demonstrations. Unless your school has
purchased radios/dispatch equipment or a MDT, you will need
outside assistance
B. MDTs allow officers to receive call information, communicate with
one another, and run queries on vehicles, persons, and places
Activities
1. Phonetic Alphabet Quiz. Give each student a copy of the Phonetic
Alphabet Handout during the class session prior to this one. Have the
students study the alphabet. Quiz the students during this class
session by having them list the phonetic alphabet on a blank piece of
paper. Give a quiz the next class. Use the Phonetic Alphabet handout
to grade quizzes.
2. Phonetic Alphabet Activity. Give each student a copy of the Phonetic
Alphabet Activity and the Phonetic Alphabet handouts. Have the
students broadcast (over a radio if available) the names and license
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plates on the Phonetic Alphabet Activity Handout. They may reference
the Phonetic Alphabet handout as needed (Note: you may add other
license plates and names to the list, including using a student roster
from your class). Use the Phonetic Alphabet Rubric for assessment.
Assessments
Telecommunications Exam and Key
Phonetic Alphabet Quiz (see Activity 1)
Phonetic Alphabet Rubric
Discussion Rubric
Individual Work Rubric
Role Play Rubric
Materials
Telecommunications computer-based presentation
Phonetic Alphabet Handout
Phonetic Alphabet Activity Handout
Resources
National Academy of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) Instructor Certification
course
Arlington Police Academy
Mansfield Police Department General Orders
http://www.sheriff.co.wise.tx.us/communic.htm
Do an Internet search for the following: dictionary.
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, students will practice the phonetic alphabet. Allow the
students to find audio recordings of police radio traffic and compare the
differences they hear, such as noise in the transmission, keying up without
talking, rapid speech, etc. Use the Individual Work Rubric for assessment.
For enrichment, allow the students to write scenarios involving police
action. Students will then take turns role playing the scenarios, with one to
two students acting as officers. The officers will conduct any simulated
radio traffic necessary for the successful resolution of the scenario. Use
the Role Play Rubric for assessment.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
§130.294. Law Enforcement II (One to Two Credits).
(2)
The student uses telecommunication equipment. The student
is expected to:
(A)
conduct telecommunication using mobile and handheld radio systems;
(B)
conduct simulated radio communications;
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(C)
(D)
transmit and retrieve information over the mobile data
terminal; and
disseminate data to multiple mobilized units using the
mobile data terminal.
College and Career Readiness Standards
Social Studies Standards
V. Effective Communication
A. Clear and coherent oral and written communication
1. Use appropriate oral communication techniques depending
on the context or nature of the interaction.
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Name________________________________ Date__________________________
Telecommunications Exam
Match the communication cycle term with the correct definition.
A. The text or information of the communication; can
be verbal or nonverbal, even in a non-visual
environment
1) _____ Medium
2) _____ Sender
3) _____ Message
B. Transmits a message by selecting the words or
actions to convey meaning to the receiver and
solicits feedback from the receiver to make sure
the message was understood correctly
4) _____ Receiver
5) _____ Feedback
C. How the message is conveyed; the actions or text
(words written or spoken) of the message
D. Translates the sender’s message by giving
meaning to the actions or text of the sender
E. The receiver’s understanding of the message or
lack of understanding is transmitted back to the
sender
6) _____ Which of the following is “an individual speaker’s accent, inflection, intonation, and
speech-sound quality, which is usually judged in terms of prevailing standards of
acceptability”?
A. Pronunciation
B. Enunciation
C. Diction
D. Phonetics
7) _____ Most people speak at a rate of over __________ words per minute.
A. 20−30
B. 100
C. 30
D. 50
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8) _____ Which of the following is not part of the communication cycle?
A. Message
B. Medium
C. Translator
D. Receiver
9) _____ Concise word choice, clear enunciation, appropriate rate of speech, and appropriate
message length all describe which of the following key terms?
A. Diction
B. Pronunciation
C. Phonetics
D. Enunciation
10) _____ What is the length of air time for messages usually?
A. 10 seconds
B. 5 seconds
C. 30 seconds
D. 20 seconds
11) _____ Which of the following means “forming clear and distinct sounds into words”?
A. Pronunciation
B. Enunciation
C. Phonetics
D. Diction
12) _____ Effective communication is which of the following?
A. Professional
B. Clear and concise
C. Timely
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
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13) _____ Clear radio communication occurs through the use of what type of communication?
A. Concise communication
B. Phonetic alphabet
C. Plain language
D. Ten codes
14) _____ Which of the following requires standardized words or phrases with specific
meaning?
A. Plain language
B. Phonetic alphabet
C. Clear speech policy
D. Ten codes
15) _____ Most departments use which type of radio communications?
A. Ten codes
B. Phonetic alphabet
C. Clear speech policy
D. Plain language
16) _____ Which of the following is not a challenge to communication?
A. Weather
B. Buildings
C. Terrain
D. Charged battery
17) _____ How long do you need to hold down the mic button before beginning your
transmission?
A. 2−3 seconds
B. 20−30 seconds
C. No time, just push and talk
D. 5−10 seconds
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18) _____ The handset or radio should be held how far from the mouth when transmitting?
A. 5−10 inches
B. 2−3 inches
C. 10−20 inches
D. Mouth should be directly on the handset/radio
19) _____ In order to access the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System,
officers must hold what type of certification?
A. Radio operators license
B. Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System
C. National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System
D. At least less than full access
20) _____ As soon as the desired TLETS/NLETS information has been obtained from the
Mobile Data Transmission (MDT) screen, the officer may save the information for
the duration of their shift.
A. True
B. False
21) _____ A citizen riding along with the officer is authorized to view TLETS/NLETS
information.
A. True
B. False
22) _____ Officers must exercise care and caution when using the MDT and operating a motor
vehicle.
A. True
B. False
23) _____ Officers shall log off from the MDT in which of the following situations?
A. When transferring the MDT to another user
B. At the end of the officer's shift
C. When the officer is away from the vehicle for prolonged periods for non-police
activities
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D. All of the above
E. None of the above
24) _____ All data that is transmitted over the MDT is recorded for which of the following
reasons?
A. Public records request
B. To review the officer's work ethic
C. To know which officers are dating
D. To insure compliance with directives
25) _____ Codes for use and operation of MDTs are standard among all manufacturers.
A. True
B. False
26) _____ MDTs allow officers to do all except which of the following?
A. Receive call information
B. Make arrests
C. Communicate with one another
D. Run queries on vehicles, persons, and places
27) _____ If radio transmissions are lengthy, officers should do which of the following?
A. Break after 30 seconds for 5−10 seconds
B. Complete the entire transmission in one message
C. Give 5 seconds of the message and break for 30 seconds before continuing
D. Know what you want to say and get to the point
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28) _____ Which type of communication challenge attenuates radio signals?
A. Terrain
B. Buildings
C. Weather
D. Low batteries
29) _____ Which of the following means “properly saying the sounds of a word while stressing
the correct syllable(s)”?
A. Enunciation
B. Diction
C. Pronunciation
D. Phonetics
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Telecommunications Exam Key
1. C
2. B
3. A
4. D
5. E
6. C
7. B
8. C
9. A
10. C
11. B
12. D
13. B
14. C
15. D
16. D
17. D
18. B
19. D
20. B
21. B
22. A
23. D
24. D
25. B
26. B
27. A
28. B
29. C
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Phonetic Alphabet Handout
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Adam
Boy
Charles
David
Edward
Frank
George
Henry
Ida
John
King
Lincoln
Mary
Nora
Ocean
Paul
Queen
Robert
Sam
Tom
Union
Victor
William
X-Ray
Young
Zebra
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Phonetic Alphabet Activity Handout
Broadcast the following information over the radio, using simulated radio traffic and the Phonetic
Alphabet Handout as needed.
License Plates
4HIG204
X99KRP
DHB822
MWB755
841EHO
RF05WCL
TRY088
1BD8231
HGEE487
Names
Jane R. Smith
Kristina Kamp
Danny Richards
Kelsey Davis
Jon Williams
George Thomas
Elise Bowen
Julio Gonzales
Angelo DeWitte
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Phonetic Alphabet Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Waited 5–10 seconds after keying
the mic on the radio before
speaking
Used an appropriate rate of speech
Used appropriate diction
Did not hesitate between letters or
numbers
Used the phonetic alphabet
correctly
Gave an accurate transmission
Finished the transmission and then
waited 5 seconds before
disengaging the mic
Total Points (28 pts.)
Comments:
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Individual Work Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Follows directions
Student completed the work as directed,
following the directions given, in order and to the
level of quality indicated
Time management
Student used time wisely and remained on task
100% of the time
Organization
Student kept notes and materials in a neat,
legible, and organized manner. Information was
readily retrieved
Evidence of learning
Student documented information in his or her
own words and can accurately answer questions
related to the information retrieved
*Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Role Play Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Relates to the audience
Provides fluent rendition of the
scenario
All required content is included
Acts with feeling and expression
Varies intonation
Presents characters appropriately
Gives the scenario its full range
Breaches are easily identified
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
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