Opp

[SCPD]

Hello there. This is Coolguy. I have something that I would like answered.

Today while I was on my way back home just before coming up to our main street (Downtown). I saw an OPP officer with a guy pulled over. When I looked at the officer, I noticed that for the first time that I saw one of our officers wearing those EAR PIECES. Like you would see other cops wearing like on tv. Shows like: COPS and also the FBI Guys or the BIG SHOTS in Movies or other shows wearing. It is in their Ear like an Ear Phone with a spiral cord running down their back to I dunno where.

So what I am wondering is. What are those EAR PIECES that I saw this OPP officer in town wearing for. Like what is it used for.

Is it used to hear there portable radios better while they are out of the car in case they get a call and can't actually hear talking coming directly from their portable speaker. Or would it be for another office back at the Detachment to talk to them through the Ear Piece instead of the Radio. Or what. I am just curious and always wondered that from when I saw it on TV on now for the first time with one of our officers here in town.

I will be waiting for any replies to this E-mail to my question. Thanks.

Coolguy

 

[exkalibur]

It's most likely to make their portable easier to hear. Most police forces have earpieces available should the need arise. As a side benefit, it allows for greater security. That is, the person(s) the officer is dealing with can't hear their return, or other comms about them on the radio.

 

[Saint]

Re-Ear Peace

It's most likely to make their portable easier to hear. Most police forces have earpieces available should the need arise. As a side benefit, it allows for greater security. That is, the person(s) the officer is dealing with can't hear their return, or other comms about them on the radio.

Your absolutely correct exkalibur, with your explanation, and also when pulling over a car onto the shoulder of a busy highway it's very noisy and they have a problem hearing there dispatcher, also for safety reasons it's more secure and quieter when they are in different situations where there radios can give them away in serious situations.
Steve

 

[Firetxmi]

It's most likely to make their portable easier to hear. Most police forces have earpieces available should the need arise. As a side benefit, it allows for greater security. That is, the person(s) the officer is dealing with can't hear their return, or other comms about them on the radio.

Yep.

Here in the states to solve this problem the dispatcher usually asks the officer if "his radio is secure." At this point it tells the officer that this person probably has a history or an outstanding warrant. A lot of times it can mean the person has a "warning" on his record like that he likes to assault a cop now and then. When the officer says that his radio is secure (i.e. the person isn't within earshot of it) the dispatcher gives the info.

Just some more useless info.

 

[exkalibur]

The OPP will usually say "Are you 10-69?" 10-69 means "Free to Speak", IE... "are you away from the bad guy, cause he did something stupid and I don't need him hearing it while I tell you".

Toronto usually just says "Is your party within ear shot".

-Mike

 

[polo_762]

Peel Police uses "are you 10-12" to ask if their mic is secure, but I never see them using the earpieces.
The Ottawa Police Service makes extensive use of the earpieces for all officers.

 

[exkalibur]

The Ottawa Police Service makes extensive use of the earpieces for all officers.

London (Ontario) does the same. I don't think I've ever seen an officer there without one.

 

[phyberoptics]

10-12 (Peel) / 10-69 (OPP) means "slap that mo-fo in cuffs...and put him in the back of the car", or as Roscoe P. Coltrane would say "Cuff 'em and stuff 'em Flash, Kik-kik-kyah!! I love it! I love it!"

 

[hemi]

I work as a baker in one of those very popular coffee stops.....anyways the opp are our biggest regulars ad almost always have a ear-bud in. On some occasions they will at night they will have a portable sitting on the table.

 

[edwardscott]

all OPP wear said, standard, ear pieces

ES