We all know that communication skills are amongst the most important skills that a security officer can possess. Often, we need to relay messages and information further than would otherwise be possible via verbal means.
In order to achieve this, a security officer has a number of tools at their disposal, such as the mobile phone, short message service, Morse code (not so common these days), and of course, radio communications such as the compact CB Radio.
In this article, we are going to look at some of the more basic, but all too often forgotten radio communication procedures required for quick, concise, and accurate transmission of information via radio.
Basic Radio Communication Procedure
It is important to remember that strict radio communication procedures and disciplines need to be adhered to at all times when using a radio, whether it be a handheld, vehicle-based or base station set up. This is important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, we observe strict radio procedures to preserve the security of the information being transmitted.
You should always use good quality pieces of equipment that offer high security like Kenwood during your conversations. Regardless of how secure the equipment you are using may be, always operate on the basis that someone could be listening in on your transmissions. Therefore, names of operatives and locations involved in a particular operation should be disguised via the use of code words or call signs.
Call Signs
When used in radio communications, call signs can perform a number of functions. Their primary function is often to protect the identity of the parties involved in the radio transmission. However, they also serve to simplify matters when communicating between large groups of people. For example, can you imagine trying to communicate with someone on a first-name basis when there are three people in the group all called David? Not to mention that it is unreasonable to expect that every person in a group remember everyone’s name.
Instead, it is far easier and safer to assign call signs based either on the Phonetic alphabet or a person’s area of responsibility. For example, C1, C2, C3, pronounced Charlie One, two, and three, would be used in place of Ralph, Fred, and Bill. This way each person knows who is being called and there is no risk of him or her being identified. Alternatively, if you had three members of your team assigned to the stage area at a rock concert, you could assign them the call signs: Stage one, two and three. Once again, the identity of the caller is preserved and everyone knows exactly who he or she is communicating with.
Code Words
Code words and call signs are used for much the same reasons – to prevent the true nature of the subject being discussed from being overheard by uninvited listeners. Take for example a situation where a security officer receives a radio call informing him that the door to one of the venue’s cash offices has a broken lock. The call also informs him that the staff member at that location will be leaving the area unattended for a period of time. He is therefor requested to get someone there to keep an eye on the money. If anyone were listening in on the conversation, it would be a simple matter of getting there first or worse, taking the officer out of the picture and helping themselves to the contents of the cash office.
To avoid this situation, code words can be assigned to specific types of incidents or locations. For example, rather than saying the cash office on the third floor in the member’s area, you could refer to its location as “Members 3”. Incidents can also be assigned code words such as “Code Blue”, which might refer to a non-crucial incident requiring assistance when possible. An incident that requires more immediate assistance but is not yet dangerous could be a “Code Yellow” and a serious incident that requires immediate assistance could be a “Code Red”. Similarly, specific incidents can be assigned specific code words. For example, a violent situation could be “Cyclone”. Back up needed could be “Tanto.” There are no set rules for assigning code words. Some people like to use words that employ the same first letter as the area they are referring to and other people like to use words that reflect the nature or function of a particular area or incident. Use any code word you like as long as the team know it and can remember it.
By employing code words, you make it difficult for anyone with criminal intentions to interfere with your operations. Take our example of the cash office from earlier in the article. Someone wishing to take advantage of the opportunity knows after hearing the call, who is attending, where the cash is and the nature of the problem. However, by employing the system of code words and call sign as discussed the call might sound something like this:
“ Cash office to security. We have a Code Blue at Members 3. Require assistance.”
“OK cash office. Escort one en route to Members 3.”
What we have just ascertained is that there is an incident at the cash office in the member’s area on level three that requires attention when possible. This has been acknowledged and one of the cash escort security officers is on the way.
The following keywords are used in order to covey certain messages.
ROGER: means message understood
OVER: The call sign has been transmitted and awaiting a reply
OUT: Call sign is finished transmitting at this time
When transmitting messages, these words used in conjunction with correct procedures make a message far more concise and easier to understand. The correct procedure for transmitting a message is as follows:
Start the message with your call, Sign and then say the call sign of the person you wish to contact.
Any time you expect a response, finish your transmission with the word OVER. This will let the person you are talking to know you are waiting for their reply.
When you are responding to someone else’s message, use the word ROGER to let them know you have understood their transmission. If you didn’t understand the transmission for some reason ask them to repeat the message by saying, “Repeat last call”.
When you have finished your transmission and wish to end the conversation use the word OUT. This lets the person you are talking to know that you are finished. It also lets anyone else waiting to use the radio know that the channel is clear and they can go ahead.
When putting all of the previous examples in practice, you should have a short exchange that is easily understood, accurate and concise. Let’s look at the earlier example of the cash office incident again. A conversation between trained radio operators should “sound” something like this:
“Cash office to Security, OVER.”
“Security, go ahead Cash Office, OVER.”
“Security, we have a Code Blue at Members 3, Over.”
“ROGER Cash Office, Escort 1 en route, OVER.”
“ROGER Security, Cash office OUT.”
You can see how much more efficient and secure this example is. Cutting out the call signs once communications in this relay are established, can shorten this example even further.
