Cops and Cellphones..

[RobertScorpio]

In San Diego, and maybe where you live, it is against the law to drive and talk on the cellphone at the same time. I support this law. But I see cops doing it all the F-ing time. "Job related" they will say. Well, how do we know that???

Should cops be able to use cellphones on the job (I mean, isn't that what the radio is for?)

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I mean, isn't that what the radio is for?

Quite. All cop cars have radios, don't they? So what do they need with cellphones?

 

[RobertScorpio]

I mean, isn't that what the radio is for?

Quite. All cop cars have radios, don't they? So what do they need with cellphones?

I was wondering that too. But I am sure that would be their answer. Maybe their 'contacts' call them. Or, maybe thats how they keep track of their paybacks..I don't know. It just doesn't look right when they can ticket us for something they do.

ROb

 

[NCC-1701-B]

No, they can use a hands-free like everyone else

 

[cultcross]

I mean, isn't that what the radio is for?

Quite. All cop cars have radios, don't they? So what do they need with cellphones?

So you can have a conversation with someone without jamming up the airwaves, plus airtime on the radio is expensive if you have trunk radios - every time we press the 'talk' button on the handset, it costs the force about 20 quid, more the longer we talk.

But no, no hand-held comms equipment should be used when driving, cops included. Our cars have radios installed so radio can be accessed via a button on the steering wheel, and if you want to use your cell, go hands free or pull over. Same as everyone else.

 

[Nerdius Maximus]

I frequently see cops doing stuff like making improper lane changes, running red lights without their sirens and lights on, speeding without their sirens and lights on, doing all kinds of things they wouldn't hesitate to nail someone else on. I might have seen one on a cell phone, but that's not illegal around here, and people are doing it all the time so I don't really notice it.
I once saw a group of five or six highway patrol guys laughing it up in a circle K parking lot while they spun their tires on the ice and played frisbee with their K9. I thought that was weird.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I mean, isn't that what the radio is for?

Quite. All cop cars have radios, don't they? So what do they need with cellphones?

So you can have a conversation with someone without jamming up the airwaves, plus airtime on the radio is expensive if you have trunk radios - every time we press the 'talk' button on the handset, it costs the force about 20 quid, more the longer we talk.

But no, no hand-held comms equipment should be used when driving, cops included. Our cars have radios installed so radio can be accessed via a button on the steering wheel, and if you want to use your cell, go hands free or pull over. Same as everyone else.

They make you pay for every time you talk on the radio?

I am pretty sure the channels used by police here in the US are reserved strictly for them (and other emergency personnel.) I don't believe there are any fees involved, either.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

I refuse the answer, in case cops are on this board.

I don't want Dirty Harry Cultcross coming over here from the UK to bust me for having an opinion. That man knows no jurisdiction.

 

[RobertScorpio]

I refuse the answer, in case cops are on this board.

I don't want Dirty Harry Cultcross coming over here from the UK to bust me for having an opinion. That man knows no jurisdiction.

Was he in George Bush's administration?

Rob

 

[Alpha Romeo]

In San Diego, and maybe where you live, it is against the law to drive and talk on the cellphone at the same time. I support this law. But I see cops doing it all the F-ing time. "Job related" they will say. Well, how do we know that???

Should cops be able to use cellphones on the job (I mean, isn't that what the radio is for?)

Radios are not private. So cops need a secondary comm source.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Radios are not private. So cops need a secondary comm source.

Cellphones can also be eavesdropped upon, can't they?

 

[TheBrew]

In San Diego, and maybe where you live, it is against the law to drive and talk on the cellphone at the same time. I support this law. But I see cops doing it all the F-ing time. "Job related" they will say. Well, how do we know that???

Should cops be able to use cellphones on the job (I mean, isn't that what the radio is for?)

Radios are not private. So cops need a secondary comm source.

Yeah, but shouldn't they be using hands-free devices? I'm surprised they are not provided for.

 

[RobertScorpio]

In San Diego, and maybe where you live, it is against the law to drive and talk on the cellphone at the same time. I support this law. But I see cops doing it all the F-ing time. "Job related" they will say. Well, how do we know that???

Should cops be able to use cellphones on the job (I mean, isn't that what the radio is for?)

Radios are not private. So cops need a secondary comm source.

Yeah, but shouldn't they be using hands-free devices? I'm surprised they are not provided for.

And what about truck drivers and their CB radios? I dont see the difference..

Rob

 

[JonathonWally]

Radios are not private. So cops need a secondary comm source.

Cellphones can also be eavesdropped upon, can't they?

No where near as easily, are you crazy?


All police bands can be listened in on with cheap scanner from any radio shack.

There are some things that aren't broadcast over the radio. My ambulance uses half a dozen of it's own frequencies, has all the PD bands, every hospital's own channel, central dispatch, and tons more. They can all be monitored.

My medical orders are always given from the doctor via my cellphone, never the radio.

Cop stuff is down the same way. Especially in domestics or rapes and any other time discretion is needed.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

In San Diego, and maybe where you live, it is against the law to drive and talk on the cellphone at the same time. I support this law. But I see cops doing it all the F-ing time. "Job related" they will say. Well, how do we know that???

Should cops be able to use cellphones on the job (I mean, isn't that what the radio is for?)

Radios are not private. So cops need a secondary comm source.

Yeah, but shouldn't they be using hands-free devices? I'm surprised they are not provided for.

In Connecticut, police and fire are exempt from the hands free law.

 

[RobertScorpio]

Radios are not private. So cops need a secondary comm source.

Yeah, but shouldn't they be using hands-free devices? I'm surprised they are not provided for.

In Connecticut, police and fire are exempt from the hands free law.

Of course they are....Just like the Senate will not have to give up their own healthcare if Obama gets his inacted...

Rob

 

[sidious618]

I refuse the answer, in case cops are on this board.

I don't want Dirty Harry Cultcross coming over here from the UK to bust me for having an opinion. That man knows no jurisdiction.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

Yeah, but shouldn't they be using hands-free devices? I'm surprised they are not provided for.

In Connecticut, police and fire are exempt from the hands free law.

Of course they are....Just like the Senate will not have to give up their own healthcare if Obama gets his inacted...

Rob

Ok.

 

[Lindley]

Yeah, but shouldn't they be using hands-free devices? I'm surprised they are not provided for.

You wouldn't be if you'd watched The Wire. Not all police departments are as cash-strapped as the Baltimore PD is in that show, but still.....

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Radios are not private. So cops need a secondary comm source.

Cellphones can also be eavesdropped upon, can't they?

No where near as easily, are you crazy?


All police bands can be listened in on with cheap scanner from any radio shack.

There are some things that aren't broadcast over the radio. My ambulance uses half a dozen of it's own frequencies, has all the PD bands, every hospital's own channel, central dispatch, and tons more. They can all be monitored.

My medical orders are always given from the doctor via my cellphone, never the radio.

Cop stuff is down the same way. Especially in domestics or rapes and any other time discretion is needed.

Hmm. I thought calls from cellular or cordless phones could be monitored as easily as radios could. Misinformed, yes, but not necessarily crazy.