UK Officers Told Use Text, Not Voice on Radio

Facing extremely high overage charges on their Airwave radio system, police officials in Britain have told officers to send text messages for routine incidents instead of voice radio transmissions. The instructions have generated criticism from former police commanders, who say discouraging officers from using voice radio could compromise safety. Airwave is a private company that operates a TETRA-based radio network in the country, and sells time on the system to law enforcement agencies. Officers carry a personal “terminal” that resembles a cellular phone handset, and it offers both voice, text and other features. According to press accounts, police officials will not confirm their costs to use the system or the overage charges. However sources say once an agency reaches its contractual limit, Airwave is charging over $3.20 per second for voice radio transmissions. On the other hand, it costs just a few cents to transmit 1,000 text messages. Police have programmed the terminals to transmit 16 pre-determined text messages by using buttons on the handset, including meal break, issuing a warrant, making an arrest and returning to station. According to Home Office officials, local police departments are given an annual budget for radio operations, and the agencies decide how to allocate the money. A long story in the Daily Mail newspaper notes that Airwave posted a profit last year, and the company’s president lives in an expensive home. Read more here.