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Radios, Telephones, Computer Aided Dispatch System, or National Crime Information Center
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is a licensed radio station through the FCC. We have the ability to transmit over five (5) different radio frequencies: our Channel 1, Channel 2, Mutual Aid, Narcotics Task Force, and Fire & Rescue.
Most of our radio work is performed over the radio frequency 39.180 MHz. Information such as requests for driver's information, vehicle registration and warrant checks. Most of the calls for service that we handle are given out over this channel. This frequency is shared with our Judicial Division, and the Maryland State Police also have this frequency in their cars for when they assist our patrol units.
Channel 2 is mainly used for long messages. Since Channel 1 is our primary channel, we try to keep it open as often as possible. At any time, a deputy may need assistance, therefore the channel is kept clear. If a message such as in depth information on a call, or lengthy dispositions is given, we go to Channel 2. This frequency is also shared with our Detention Center.
The Mutual Aid Channel is not often used, but is important. This frequency is used for police agencies to communicate between each other. We have the ability to patch any one of our channels into Mutual Aid, and other agencies can do the same. With this patch initiated, our deputies can talk to other agencies, and vice-versa.
The Narcotics Task Force (NTF) channel is an encrypted channel. We are the only agency to use this frequency to communicate with NTF. This is used for the NTF agents who need vehicle registration information, or assistance with their operations, and other various requests. Since this frequency is encrypted, it is difficult to understand every word that comes across, but every word must be understood.
The Fire & Rescue communications channel is not for our daily use. We have the ability to transmit off this frequency because we are a backup center for the Fire & Rescue Communications.
We monitor several other police and rescue agencies in the area. This can be essential for gathering information and listening to allied agencies we may be assisting. Several wanted persons have been captured simply from our PCO's hearing a name go across another channel, and checking through our files. There are a total of 11 different frequencies we listen to at any given time. Our PCO's are trained to have what is called a split-ear, and take in as much information as possible.
The Police Communications Division is equipped with several multi- lined telephones. There are a total of 20 different lines that come into dispatch. These phones have numerous internal and external lines, and several direct lines. 911 lines are transferred to us by the Washington County Fire & Rescue Communications, which is the 911 center for Washington County.
In addition to these emergency lines, our non-emergency lines are just as important. 301-791-3020 is our primary non-emergency line. We also receive calls through our Detention Center at 240-313-2100.
Our PCO's are constantly in contact with the Hagerstown Police Department, Maryland State Police and the Fire & Rescue Association. To aid in these operations, we are equipped with direct lines to each of these agencies. The push of one button connects us. Inter-office communication is also essential. There are in excess of 100 different telephone extensions in our complex. Factor in voice mailboxes, and the paging system, add them to all the incoming lines; it's no wonder that when we get home, we turn off our telephones.
Possibly the most complex of all systems in the communications center is our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System, developed and serviced by Keystone Information Systems. Powered by an HP-9000 server, the capabilities of our CAD are virtually endless. All calls for service, traffic stops, accidents, or any other type of call we handle are entered into our CAD.
Years ago, a paper trail for one simple dispatched call was both time consuming, and deadly to trees across the land. Now, everything is computerized, dispatch is more efficient, and only a minimal amount of paper is used. The CAD System houses business addresses and information, a detailed history of events handled by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, all of our warrant files, police investigative and accident reports, street names and directions, and many, many other files, bringing all of these right to the finger tips of our dispatchers.
Shown in the picture above, the CAD System uses a dual monitor setup under Microsoft Windows 98 or Windows 2000 Professional. Positioned one on top of the other, the bottom screen is called the Event Status monitor, and the top screen is the Unit Status monitor. The Event Status monitor shows all open or active calls, and which deputy is assigned. The Unit Status monitor shows just that, the status of each unit, or deputy. Dispatchers enter where they are, whether it is in court, at the Sheriff's Office or even eating lunch at the local burger joint. It is essential that dispatchers know where their deputies are at all times.
Most police agencies in the United States are connected through a database containing criminal histories, driver's license and vehicle registration data, wanted or missing persons, stolen vehicles and articles, and numerous other entries. This system is called NCIC, which stands for the National Crime Information Center. With NCIC, dispatchers can check if that person their deputy has pulled over is wanted, or if that vehicle is stolen. The NCIC computer houses several different criminal justice databases:
NCIC (National Crime Information System)
CJIS (Criminal Justice Information System)
MILES (Maryland Interagency Law Enforcement System)
NLETS (National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System)
- Out-of-State Driver's information and message system.
Various Parole & Probation systems
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
The NCIC computer contains an enormous amount of sensitive and confidential material. It is because of this that our dispatchers need to be certified to operate it. Any operator, whether it is a dispatcher, police officer, or records clerk, that needs to access the system for any reason, must possess NCIC Certification. The training our personnel are required to attend for this access begins with a two-day session in Pikesville, MD. This training covers each of the files maintained by NCIC. Once certified, the operator must attend a one-day re-certification course every two years. If you are not certified, and attempt access to the system, you could face criminal charges up to, and including time in jail.
The FBI maintains NCIC, but to access NCIC, you must first go through MILES (Maryland Inter-agency Law Enforcement System), which is maintained by the Maryland State Police. Police agencies in Maryland use MILES for sending messages to each other (similar to email, but in tele-type form), and to access NCIC. Some files are also in MILES, such as wanted persons, protective orders and civil warrants, and other information. This doesn't even begin to sum up the functions the NCIC terminals can perform.
Contact Information
Updated on 09/08/2008
Copyright 2002-2007, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hagerstown, Maryland