LAPD - Monitor PDC?

[GrandpaFrank]

I'm always hearing dispatch say "monitor your pdc" I'm wondering what PDC stands for, I am assuming it's the computer terminal inside the units. I am interested in learning how these work, is it a large network? From the sound of it, the dispatch operator is able to display information on the screen of certain units. I commend dispatch operators for their excellent multitasking skills and ability to maintain composure! Anyone who listens to LAPD knows it's much more interesting than watching TV!

 

[karldotcom]

Dont you mean MDC? LAPD uses Dell laptops in their patrol units

 

[GrandpaFrank]

Dont you mean MDC? LAPD uses Dell laptops in their patrol units

Sorry, yeah. MDC. I hadn't yet had my coffee when I made this post. I also think I had PDA on my mind.

 

[SCPD]

I've heard the same thing but always thought they were saying "MDT," which stands for Mobile Data Terminal. I think the units may be made by Dell, however, they don't look like a standard laptop. They are smaller and with a screen that is non-hinge-able. There is also no place to rest your hands while using it as the bottom row of keys is very close to the bottom or forward edge of the unit.

P.S. The units don't have a mouse so that is one reason they don't have as big of a bottom or forward edge on them. It has been a few years since I was on some ride-a-longs with the LAPD so they could have changed their setup.

 

[jrholm]

They did Ex-Smokey, what you're describing is the old MDT. they now use MDC's that look like laptops

 

[code3cowboy]

MDC=MDT, many people use toughbooks connected to a data radio or cellular modem.

http://media.govtech.net/Sprint_Q3_RC/25969107.pdf

 

[SCPD]

I'm in L.A. right now for several days. I will try to listen to the LAPD and ick up the change in terminology. Last night I was lisgtening to the Pacific Division, where my mother still lives, and heard a prefix of "27" being used. There were a few "mary queen" units assigned the prefix. Does anyone know what this is about?

 

[KMA367]

I'm in L.A. right now for several days. I will try to listen to the LAPD and ick up the change in terminology. Last night I was lisgtening to the Pacific Division, where my mother still lives, and heard a prefix of "27" being used. There were a few "mary queen" units assigned the prefix. Does anyone know what this is about?

I believe "27" is the radio designation for either Operations West Bureau or West Traffic Division (or both, depending on the rest of the unit number). "Mary Queen" are motor task force units - usually DUI task force but it's also been used for motors assigned to crime task forces. T-cars (accident investigation) usually use the prefix corresponding to the patrol area to which they're assigned, e.g. 6T84, 14T27, etc, but are West Traffic Division personnel.

West Bureau consists of Hollywood, Wilshire, WLA, Pacific, and Olympic areas, and West Traffic Division.

 

[KMA367]

Correction

"27" is the radio designation for Operations West Bureau, and "34" is West Traffic Division. "Mary Queen" are motor task force units - usually DUI task force but it's also been used for motors assigned to crime task forces. I'm not clear on when they use the 27 vs the 34 prefix, but it may be that when they're working non-traffic task forces they use the more generic 27.

 

[GrandpaFrank]

Example: 15A48

The Unit Number consists of three parts, where the first part is the
division number, the second part is the type of unit, and the third part is
the master beat or special unit number. Therefore, the above unit is a 15th
division (North Hollywood) 2 man patrol vehicle assigned to master beat 48.

DIVISION NUMBER

1 CENTRAL
2 RAMPART
3 SOUTHWEST
4 HOLLENBECK
5 HARBOR
6 HOLLYWOOD
7 WILSHIRE
8 WEST LOS ANGELES
9 VAN NUYS
10 WEST VALLEY
11 NORTHEAST
12 77TH STREET
13 NEWTON STREET
14 PACIFIC
15 NORTH HOLLYWOOD
16 FOOTHILL
17 DEVONSHIRE
18 SOUTHEAST
24 CENTRAL TRAFFIC
25 SOUTH TRAFFIC
34 WEST TRAFFIC
35 VALLEY TRAFFIC

TYPE OF UNIT

A TWO MAN PATROL VEHICLE
B TWO MAN PATROL VAN
C PARKING ENFORCEMENT
CL BICYCLE PATROL
CRASH COMMUNITY RESOURCES AGAINST STREET HOODLUMS (Anti-Gang)
DV DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
E TRAFFIC ENFORCMENT
F FELONY ENFORCEMENT
FB UNIFORMED FOOT PATROL (FOOT BEAT)
H DIVISIONAL HOMICIDE
IBARS FIELD BOOKING
J JUVENILE INVESTIGATOR
JW JUVENILE INVESTIGATOR (FEMALE)
L ONE MAN PATROL VEHICLE
M MOTORCYCLE UNIT
MQ SPECIAL MOTORCYLE UNIT
MX DUI PATROL UNIT
OP OBSERVATION POST
P SPECIAL DETAIL/EVENTS SUPERVISOR
Q SPECIAL DETAIL/EVENTS UNIT
T TRAFFIC INVESTIGATOR
TL TRAFFIC INVESTIGATOR SUPERVISOR
U REPORT TAKING UNIT
UC UCLA POLICE
V DIVISIONAL VICE INVESTIGATOR
VS VISITOR SERVICES
W DIVISONAL DETECTIVES
X EXTRA PATROL UNIT
Z SPECIAL PATROL UNIT (RESERVES)

THE LAST POSITION INDICATES THE MASTER BEAT OR SPECIAL UNIT NUMBER
(SOME UNITS THAT HAVE THE LAST DIGIT OF 0 ARE SPECIAL UNITS)

10 WATCH COMMANDER
20-70 FIELD SUPERVISOR
80 COMMUNITY RELATIONS
90 STATION DESK

CITYWIDE UNITS

SUPPORT SERVICES ("DAVID" UNITS):

1D FIELD SUPPORT SERVICES
2D AIRCRAFT SUPPORT SERVICES
3D TACTICAL PLANNING

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ("HENRY" UNITS):

1H DETENTIONS/JAIL
2H SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS
2H2 BOMB SQUAD
2H90 CRIME LAB
2H90B PHOTO LAB
2H90C LATENT PRINTS
3H ADVANCE PALNNING
4H MOTOR TRANSPORTATION
5H PERSONNEL
6H MANAGEMENT SERVICES
8H FISCAL SERVICES
9H PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
10H COMMUNICATIONS
12H RECORDS & IDENTIFICATION
13H SUPPLIES
14H TRAINING

INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES ("KING" UNITS):

1K INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS
2K BURGARY/AUTO THEFTS
3K BUNCO/FORGERY
4K ROBBERY/HOMOCIDE
5K DETECTIVE SUPPORT SECTION
5K90 SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE SECTION
5K90C CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY SECTION
5K90G GANG SECTION
5K90F FUGITIVE SECTION

METROPOLITAN (METRO) DIVISION ("ROBERT" UNITS):

R plus Unit Number plus:

A ADMINISTRATIVE PLATOON
B VALLEY PLATOON
C METRO AREA PLATOON
D SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS (SWAT) TEAM
E EQUESTRIAN UNIT
G METRO ANTI-GANG TASK FORCE ?

SPECIAL SERVICES ("Y" UNITS)

2Y INTERNAL AFFAIRS
4Y ORGANIZED CRIME INTELLIGENCE
5Y ANTI-TERRORIST UNIT
6Y VICE ADMINISTRATION
7Y NARCOTICS - TASK FORCE AND SPECIAL UNITS
8Y NARCOTICS - FIELD ENFORCEMENT
9Y NARCOTICS - MAJOR and MID-LEVEL ENFORCEMENT

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT CODES

RADIO CODES

Code 1 Acknowledge Call/Respond Over Radio
Code 2 Routine Call, No Lights or Siren
Code 2-HIGH Priority Call, No Lights or Siren
Code 3 Emergency Call, Lights and Siren
Code 4 No Further Assistance Needed
Code 5 Stakeout - Stay Away
Code 6 Out of Car on Investigation
Code 6A Out of Car on Investigation, Requires Assistance
Code 6C Out of Car on Investigation, Suspect is Wanted
Code 6G Out of Car on Investigation, Gang Activity
Code 7 Meal Break
Code 8 Fire Alarm
Code 8A Working Fire
Code 10 Request to Clear Frequency for Crime Broadcast
Code 12 False Alarm
Code 20 Notify Media
Code 30 Burglar Alarm (Code 30 Ringer or Code 30 Silent)
Code 37 Vehicle is Reported Stolen
Code 77 Caution, Possible Ambush
Code 99 Emergency
Code 100 In Position to Intercept

COMMONLY USED PENAL CODES USED AS RADIO CODES

148 Resisting Arrest
187 Homicide
207 Kidnapping
211 Armed Robbery
211 SILENT Silent Holdup Alarm
240 Assault
242 Battery
245 Assault With Deadly Weapon
246 Shooting in Dwelling
261 Rape
288 Lewd Conduct
311 Indecent Exposure
374 Illegal Dumping
390 Intoxicated Person
415 Disturbance
417 Person With a Gun
451 Arson
459 Burglary
470 Forgery
480 Hit and Run
484 Theft
487 Grand Theft
488 Petty Theft
502 Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

CALIFORNIA STANDARD 10-CODES

10-10 Out of Service
10-11 Talk Slower
10-12 Visitors Present
10-14 Escort
10-15 Enroute With Prisoner
10-16 Pick Up Prisoner
10-17 Pick Up Document
10-23 Stand-By
10-24 Trouble at Station
10-27 Check Driver's License
10-34 Resume Normal Broadcast
10-35 Confidential Information
10-36 Correct Time
10-37 Name of Operator
10-39 Message Delivered
10-86 Traffic Check
10-97 Arriving On Scene
10-98 Assignment Complete
10-99 Emergency

OTHER TERMINOLOGY

AC Aircraft Crash
BT Bomb Threat
PR Person Reporting (Complaintant)
RD Reporting District (Division plus Master Beat)
TC Traffic Collision

http://www.xent.com/FoRK-archive/july97/0539.html

 

[KMA367]

Now I'm REALLY getting picky...

Example: 15A48

The Unit Number consists of three parts, where the first part is the
division number, the second part is the type of unit, and the third part is the master beat or special unit number. Therefore, the above unit is a 15th division (North Hollywood) 2 man patrol vehicle assigned to master beat 48.

Lots of good information, GrandpaFrank, but some of it is quite a bit out-of-date. Here are a few corrections/additions:

DIVISION NUMBER

ADD
19 MISSION (May, 2005)
20 OLYMPIC (January, 2009)
21 TOPANGA (January, 2009)

TYPE OF UNIT

C PARKING ENFORCEMENT - not handled by LAPD since 1984, but by the City DOT on the City of L.A. EDACS radio system.

CRASH COMMUNITY RESOURCES AGAINST STREET HOODLUMS (Anti-Gang) - Disbanded in 2000, replaced by Gang Enforcement Details - G ("George") Units

H DIVISIONAL HOMICIDE - Divisional homicide detectives are "W" units. "H" are various administrative and support groups such as Personnel, Training, Communications, Property, Records & Identification, etc.

TL TRAFFIC INVESTIGATOR SUPERVISOR - A "TL" unit is a one-officer Collision Investigation car. It would only be a supervisor if the ending digit is a zero (-20, -30, -40, etc.)

Z SPECIAL PATROL UNIT (RESERVES) - Not reserve officers, but patrol units working special details and generally not subject to being dispatched to radio calls.

CITYWIDE UNITS

With several significant department reorganizations, many of the Citywide Support, Administrative, and Detective unit designations have changed since that list was prepared. Check out the online LAPD Manual sections 4/110 through 4/110.80. Big pages though, often slow to load.


LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT CODES

RADIO CODES

Code 2 Routine Call, No Lights or Siren - Code 2 is "an urgent call and shall be answered immediately. The red light and siren shall not be used, and all traffic laws shall be observed." Routine calls have no code attached, and are generally sent by MDC only (see, I'm staying on topic) and not voice-broadcast at all.

Code 2-HIGH Priority Call, No Lights or Siren - Code 2/High, which was discontinued in May 2004, was identical to Code 2, with the exception that it was immediately voiced-broadcast by the call-taker (Emergency Board Operator) before/while being beamed to the radio operator. Most call-types that had previously been "Code 2/High" were recategorized as "Code 3" calls... which increased from about 500 C-3 calls a week to about 2500 a week.

Code 6A Out of Car on Investigation, Requires Assistance - May need assistance; No unit is dispatched to assist, but "Other radio units in the vicinity should then patrol in the general direction of the given location. Officers should not ordinarily leave their assigned districts but should deploy to an advantageous position in the event that assistance is later requested." (Yeah, right)

Code 6C Out of Car on Investigation, Suspect is Wanted - This code means the suspect or license plate has been run and returns with either a felony want or an "armed & dangerous" notation.

Code 7 Meal Break - Actually, Code 7 is now "Free Time" - "Officers on free time (Code Seven) status are not "on‑call" except to the extent that all off‑duty members are 'on‑call...'

"Officers on free time (Code Seven) status may go where they choose and do as they choose during that period, subject to the rules and regulations of this Department applicable to off‑duty officers" etc etc "Sworn personnel are permitted to remain in uniform during Code Seven periods provided they adhere to the following:

• Department regulations governing the manner in which the uniform shall be worn; and,
• Department regulations governing the conduct of sworn personnel who appear in public while in uniform." etc etc. (LAPD Manual Vol. 3, §702.20

Code 10 Request to Clear Frequency for Crime Broadcast - Request clear frequency to check a suspect for wants/warrants. "A 'Code Ten' designation shall not be used to request a clear frequency for crime information broadcasts or any other information, except as specified above."

Code 77 Caution, Possible Ambush - No longer used, but after the 1965 riots it was created to summon pre-designated units from around the city to 77th St Station in the event of rioting. In 1966 it was replaced by the more structured "Tactical Alert."

Code 99 Emergency - Not an LAPD Code

COMMONLY USED PENAL CODES USED AS RADIO CODES

245 Assault With Deadly Weapon - LAPD-speak: "ADW"
246 Shooting in Dwelling - LAPD-speak: "Shooting into an Inhabited Dwelling" (I dunno why) :roll:
261 Rape - LAPD-speak: "Attack"
374 Illegal Dumping - LAPD-speak: "Illegal Dumping"
417 Person With a Gun - LAPD-speak: "415 man (woman, group) with a gun"
451 Arson - LAPD-speak: "Arson"
480 Hit and Run - LAPD-speak: "Hit & Run" + "misdemeanor" or "felony" depending on if injuries
484, 487, 488 - All theft calls use "484" plus a qualifier such as "purse snatch," "shoplift" "till tap" (haven't heard that one in years).


CALIFORNIA STANDARD 10-CODES - Standard most places other than LAPD, which has never used the 10-, 11-, or 900 codes.

 

[SCPD]

I did hear an RTO ask a Pacific Division unit to monitor their "MDC," so now I've heard the current term.

With all the information GrandpaFrank and Harry listed 27 is not there. I agree with you Harry that this was a special operation. They seemed to be working Lincoln Blvd. and called for transportation a few times, so they were either targeting DUI's or people with traffic warrants.

There is so much to listen to down here, not like the 20 minutes without any traffic I experience at home sometimes. The traffic does not seem real, however, as I don't recognize most of the locations and I don't know very many people down here anymore. Having left here about 36 years ago will do that. And that was just the last time, I had moved away for several months twice before I left for good.

 

[GrandpaFrank]

Excellent update Harry! I was hoping someone would "update" the list I was going by. Thats why I posted the original link so you guys wouldn't think I myself was outdated. I just had outdated info. Much appreciated!

Maybe we can take mine and your list and make an Updated sticky of some sort.

 

[socalmike]

Maybe this is it?

Hi All,

Could be way off here but maybe it means Primary Dispatch Channel or PDC ???

mike

 

[KMA367]

Hi All,

Could be way off here but maybe it means Primary Dispatch Channel or PDC ???

mike

No, a unit's dispatch channel is simply called "Base" (as opposed to "simplex' or "Tac __ (whatever)." I've never heard of PDC. The acronym MDC replaced MDT when they got the new Dell 610's in their cars in 2007, I believe it was.

 

[crenshaw870]

No, a unit's dispatch channel is simply called "Base" (as opposed to "simplex' or "Tac __ (whatever)." I've never heard of PDC. The acronym MDC replaced MDT when they got the new Dell 610's in their cars in 2007, I believe it was.

Harry: I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for the great service your provide all of us who enjoy listening to the LAPD, with your vast array of information that is available on your website. Having grown up in Los Angeles for 20 years, I never would have thought that one day I would be listening in to the work that the brave men and women who patrol this city do.

When I read William Dunn's book "Boot," I recall him mentioning the MDT and how effective it was for him during his patroling. I saw a recent interview of Mr. Dunn on Gangland, aired on the History Channel. It was on the episode that investigated 18th Street in the Westlake district of Los Angeles.