BARRHEAD –A new policy passed by County of Barrhead Council July 16 sets out detailed procedures for how encrypted RCMP radio channels can be used by Community Peace Officers, with safeguards to prevent unauthorized access and ensure secure, real-time communication between officers.
This allows for better safety for the County's Community Police Officer (CPO) and RCMP officers with direct communication means between them.
This new radio system is encrypted and cannot be accessed by unauthorized personnel through police scanners or any non-compliant systems.
CPO Shae Guy provided specific details on the use of the radio systems, the information relayed, and the details of the new policy.
“We have to safeguard information that is transmitted over the radio waves,” said Guy.
“In February we signed a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the RCMP for the CPO program,” said Debbie Oyarzun, County Manager (CAO).
The policy reflects the MOU specifics defining the access and usage of the RCMP Alberta First Responder Radio Communication System (AFRRCS) radio channel.
The policy addresses disabling the radios whenever the radio is outside of the direct control of a CPO.
If the vehicle is taken in for servicing, for example, the encrypted radio must be disabled.
If Guy’s on-person radio requires maintenance, the radio has to be disabled prior to that maintenance being performed.
The CPO has rules within the policy on the usage of the radio and access to RCMP staff.
Access is not allowed to use the channels for any kind of query or chat or unnecessary communication over that radio to RCMP operators or dispatchers.
The County of Barrhead has its own dispatch unit for support.
The CPO uses the encrypted radio to communicate directly with RCMP officers and to listen to broadcasted information of situations occurring in real-time.
The policy outlines that information coming over the radio cannot be used or shared with anyone not specifically authorized to hear that information.
For example, if a traffic stop in court requires access to the camera video, radio audio would be redacted from the camera video.
The encrypted radio audio is not relevant to the case and could complicate the court matter.
Viewers of the video for court purposes are not authorized to access encrypted radio information.
Unauthorized listeners include members of the public, County of Barrhead staff, Councillors, and ride-along participants.
An authorized individual requires registration through an authorization form with the County of Barrhead.
Guy wears an earpiece and information from the encrypted radio is transmitted through the earpiece.
If the earpiece is not connected to the encrypted radio, audio can be heard directly from the radio unit.
The types of information shared include calls of Be On The Lookout For (BOLO) to neighbourhood complaints, whether they are criminal in nature or not.
Guy said the encrypted radio is used for back-up requests from both RCMP and himself.
This makes requests instantaneous, which increases officer safety.
Assistance has been provided on both sides in a few situations in the last six months.
The new policy follows the Public Security Peace Officer Program Policy with Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services as well as the MOU with the RCMP.
