RTO Guidelines Policy

Radio Traffic Guidelines and Polices

Notice/Disclaimer:

By joining Auspire Roleplay, you agree to, and understand these procedures and guidelines.

Please ensure you’re checking the SOP’s frequently, as they may change without notice.

Approved by San Andreas Communications Office and Community Administration

---

The purpose of this document is to serve as the standard radio traffic guidelines for all departments within Auspire Roleplay. For any questions or concerns please contact your CoC.

---

Radio Etiquette

Communicating on a radio, especially in emergency situations like 911 dispatch, requires adherence to certain etiquettes to ensure clear and efficient communication. Here are some radio etiquettes specific to 911 communications:

• Stay Calm and Composed: Maintain a calm and composed demeanor, even in high-stress situations. Speak clearly and avoid unnecessary emotions in your voice.

• Use Standardized Language: Utilize standardized codes and language to convey information efficiently. This helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures a common understanding among all parties.

• Identify Yourself Clearly: Begin each transmission by clearly stating your identity.

• EX: “Communications to C-1 (Charlie - 1)” or simply stating the unit number.

• Speak Clearly and Slowly: Enunciate your words clearly and speak at a moderate pace. This reduces the chance of misunderstanding and ensures that all information is accurately received.

• Listen Before Transmitting: Listen to the channel to ensure it is clear before transmitting. Avoid interrupting ongoing communications unless it is an emergency or critical information.

• Use the Phonetic Alphabet: When spelling out names, locations, or other critical information, use the phonetic alphabet (e.g., Alpha, Bravo, Charlie) to avoid confusion.

• Wait for Acknowledgment: After transmitting important information, wait for acknowledgment from the receiving party. This ensures that your message was received and understood. If no acknowledgment is given, ask the unit if they’re clear on the transmission.

• Prioritize and Organize Information: Organize your information in a logical and concise manner. Prioritize critical details and provide information in a clear sequence to assist responders in understanding the situation.

• Keep Transmissions Brief: Keep your radio transmissions concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary details that could clog the channel and hinder the flow of essential information.

• Maintain Radio Discipline: Adhere to radio discipline by refraining from unnecessary chatter. This ensures that the channel remains available for critical communications. If communications are needed with a unit, that is longer than a normal transmission. Ask that unit for 10-1 and if they give the okay drag into an empty 10-1 channel.

• Report Changes and Updates: If there are changes or updates to the situation, communicate them promptly to keep all involved units informed.

• Keep Radio Traffic Focused and Purposeful: Please use private channels or cellphones for case-related discussions or supervisor queries. Radio communication should remain clear and relevant, avoiding unnecessary chatter.

10 Codes

All members are encouraged but not required to use 10 codes when communicating on the radio. However, even if you opt not to use 10 codes, you are still expected to memorize all 10 codes listed on the chart below.

Signal 100 - HOLD ALL BUT EMERGENCY TRAFFIC	10-13 - Shots Fired
Signal 41 - Sign into CAD	10-20 - Location
Signal 50 - Are You Okay	10-22 - Disregard
Code 4 - Under Control	10-23 - Arrived on Scene
Code 5 - Felony Stop/High Risk Stop	10-30 - Wanted Person
10-1 - Frequency Change	10-32 - Request Backup (Code 1-2-3)
10-4 - Affirmative	10-41 - Beginning Tour of Duty
10-6 - Busy	10-42 - Ending Tour of Duty
10-7 - Out of Service	10-60 - Armed with a Gun
10-8 - In Service	10-70 - Foot Pursuit
10-9 - Repeat	10-80 - Vehicle Pursuit
10-11 - Traffic Stop	10-99 - Officer in Distress, Extreme Emergency Only

Self Dispatching

If a call comes out and a member wishes to self attach to said call, they must request permission from dispatch to attach to the call. Ex. “3C-1 dispatch, am I clear to attach to 5E-1’s call?” Whether or not the dispatcher permits the member to attach to the call will be based on how many units are available, and how many units are already attached to said call.

• The only exception to this rule shall be if a department’s supervisor or higher requests the member to attach.

In the event of a Vehicle Pursuit you may NOT Self-Attach, you must request through active dispatch however if there is not active dispatch or watch commander, you must take in the following factors when attaching:

1. Number of person(s) in pursuit (Can vary depending on severity; Maximum of 5 for standard pursuits)

2. Officers Vehicle Performance

3. Road Terrain (dirt, sand, main road)

4. Weather Conditions (rain, snow)

5. Local Traffic Conditions (light, moderate, heavy)

6. The suspect was found after escaping visual.

7. Contact the active Watch Commander

No Active Dispatcher

This section outlines the procedures for a Watch Commander to assume control of the Radio Traffic Operations (RTO) in Teamspeak when a designated Dispatcher is not online. The goal is to ensure the continuity of communication, coordination, and safety across the community during operational activities.

• Watch Commanders shall assign themselves a TS Role called:

• WC BC (Blaine County AOP)

• WC LS (Los Santos AOP)

• WC SW (Statewide AOP)

• WCs shall remove this role before they leave the TeamSpeak

• The Watch Commander shall be the highest-ranking LEO on patrol. If multiple officers of the same rank are present, the decision on who will serve as Watch Commander shall be determined collectively by the group of officers with the same rank in RTO.

1. Assumption of Responsibility

1.1 Designated Role:

When a Dispatcher is not online, the on-duty Watch Commander is responsible for managing the RTO in Teamspeak. This ensures continuous communication across all units during active patrols, emergencies, and other operational activities.

1.2 Chain of Command:

If the Watch Commander cannot manage the RTO due to other responsibilities or unforeseen circumstances, the next highest-ranking officer on duty will assume control of the RTO. The hierarchy will follow the standard chain of command.

WC can be from any of the 3 LEO agencies, all units, regardless of department, shall respect the position and not allow interdepartmental bias to get in the way of public safety. The highest ranking(s) in session shall either act as the WC or assign someone the duty.

2. Operational Procedures

2.2 Communication Protocol: The Watch Commander will adhere to standard communication protocols, ensuring clear, concise, and professional radio traffic. This includes:

• Announcing their presence as the acting RTO at the start of their shift.

• Directing and managing radio traffic, including prioritizing emergency calls, dispatching units to incidents, and providing necessary support to field officers.

• Maintaining situational awareness and updating units on relevant information such as road closures, active incidents, or changes in operational status.

• Watch Commanders shall be where units request all necessary activations / tactical utilisations, if the WC does not approve of what a unit is requesting, it cannot happen.

2.3 Logging and Documentation:

The Watch Commander will:

• Maintain an incident log or use available dispatch software to document all relevant activities during their time managing the RTO.

• Ensure that all incidents, unit statuses, and critical communications are recorded accurately.

3. Transition of Duties

3.1 Handover to Dispatcher:

When a Dispatcher becomes available, the Watch Commander will:

• Provide a brief handover, including any ongoing incidents, unit statuses, and other pertinent information.

• Transition RTO control smoothly to the Dispatcher, ensuring that all units are aware of the change in command.

3.2 Resuming Normal Duties:

After transferring RTO responsibilities, the Watch Commander will resume their standard duties. They should remain available for any additional support the Dispatcher may require.

ASU/SRU Activation Procedures

This section outlines the procedures for activating the Air Support Unit (ASU) and Static Response Unit (SRU) in ARP. When requesting ASU or SRU, you must first contact Dispatch or the Watch Commander (WC) to determine if activation is justified based on the criteria below. Additionally, the Dispatcher or WC may deploy ASU or SRU proactively if they deem it necessary based on the information provided by officers on the scene. Please check below for the Criteria.

Note SRU is also SWAT in the Los Santos Police Department.

Air Support Unit Activation Criteria (Must meet 2 out of 3 criteria)

1. Suspect Eludes Ground Units:

• Example: Suspect is driving at high speeds through narrow alleyways or off-road areas, making it difficult for ground units to maintain visual.

• Example: A suspect on foot has fled into a densely populated or urban area, making it hard for ground units to track.

2. Hazardous Terrain/Area:

• Example: Suspect flees into a mountainous area or dense forest, where patrol vehicles cannot follow.

• Example: Suspect is escaping across a river or onto rooftops where ground pursuit becomes impossible.

3. Officer Safety:

• Example: Officers are in a dangerous situation where direct engagement with the suspect is risky, and aerial observation is needed to maintain visual safely.

• Example: A large crowd or protest is making it hard for ground units to maintain order, and air support is necessary for broader surveillance.

SRU Activation Criteria (Must meet 3 out of 4 criteria)

1. Armed Suspect/Hostage Situation:

• Example: A suspect is holding multiple people hostage inside a bank and threatening them with a weapon.

• Example: A suspect involved in a home invasion is confirmed to have firearms and refuses to comply with law enforcement.

2. Barricaded Suspect:

• Example: A suspect has barricaded themselves inside a residential building and is threatening to harm others or law enforcement officers.

• Example: A wanted felon is barricaded inside a commercial building and refuses to surrender after multiple commands.

3. Threat to Public Safety:

• Example: An active shooter situation is ongoing in a crowded public space, such as a shopping mall.

• Example: A suspect has threatened to detonate a bomb in a public area, endangering civilians and officers.

4. High-Risk Warrant:

• Example: Law enforcement needs to serve a warrant to a known gang leader with a history of violence against police.

• Example: A fugitive wanted for violent crimes is suspected to be heavily armed and hiding in a fortified location.

Disciplinary Action

Should a dispatcher feel as though a member is not adhering to the above policy, the following progressive action shall take place. All progressive action will drop off if no violations occur after 30 days.

• 1st Offense - Member shall be advised within the patrol channel to “Watch their RTO”

• 2nd Offense - Member shall be moved to the 10-1 channel along with the highest ranking supervisor of the member’s department and the member’s supervisor is to be informed of the violation of the RTO guidelines.

• 3rd Offense - Member shall be removed from the patrol channel and suspended for the remainder of the patrol and the highest ranking supervisor of the member’s assigned agency shall be notified.

• 4th Offense or more - Member shall be recommended to be barred from patrol by their CoC and required to attend and SACO radio etiquette training before returning to patrol.