Police Terminology

[Carter2100]

Hello,

Is there a listing somewhere of MPD radio terminology? Not 10-codes but things like "Powershift" and "Ghost Rider" and "AR-15 certified".

While I tend to guess at some of the terminology, I would like to find a list if there is one out there.

Thanks in advance,
Greg

 

[ScanManQSL]

A "Power Shift" is a special unit which focuses on the trouble spots in certain neighborhoods.
The Power Shift runs from 18:00 hrs to 02:00 hrs (it might be 19:00 hrs to 04:00 hrs) and operates on a rotating schedule for patrol officers. I am not sure about "Ghost Rider" and "AR-15 certified", maybe someone else can elaborate.

 

[jerk]

A "Power Shift" is a special unit which focuses on the trouble spots in certain neighborhoods.
The Power Shift runs from 18:00 hrs to 02:00 hrs (it might be 19:00 hrs to 04:00 hrs) and operates on a rotating schedule for patrol officers. I am not sure about "Ghost Rider" and "AR-15 certified", maybe someone else can elaborate.

AR-15 is a rifle, so should be rifle certified, AR-15 is civilian version M-16

 

[m4a3t]

AR15 certified is their term for being qualified to be issued a patrol rifle. It's also means the officer has likely been through their "active shooter" program. The term "ghost rider" is one I've not heard. I would certainly be interested in knowing it's meaning also.

 

[Dewey]

To answer the original question, their are no "official" lists. In most cases, what is being called "terminology" is part of the call sign. Specialized units can come and go overnight, and their designator along with them. Yes, Power Shift is a shift. It began in the '80's as a 90-day 1830-0300 rotation that some members enjoyed, and selected as their "normal" shift, or stayed extended tours. As mentioned, their are many details that will have their own call sign, such as, AHOD - All Hands on Deck. AR15 is just that... AR15.

 

[Carter2100]

MPD Terminology/Call Signs/etc.

Thanks for the replies.

I figured there is no "official list" so I will try and jot things down as I hear them and ask as they come up.

So here is another one: what is an "official", as in "is there a lower end official on the air?" or for a domestic violence call that invloves a minor, I often hear the dispatcher ask "is there an official that can respond".

Is this simply someone in the command chain or a designation for each tour?

And my favorite: why is DCFEMS called the "board"?

Again, thanks for all the responses and please pardon my ignorance.
Greg

 

[m4a3t]

An "Official" is a supervisor, sergeant and above. At times it may be a Master Patrol Officer who is sometimes designated an acting sergeant.

The "board" is short for "fire board". However, I don't recall where the term originated. Perhaps someone else will chime in.

 

[DickH]

...
The "board" is short for "fire board". However, I don't recall where the term originated. Perhaps someone else will chime in.

Different places use different terms; "Radio", "Dispatch, "Fire Alarm", "Office", and some use the station call sign like KBC123.

My guess. When they first started using radios, the dispatcher(s) used a telephone switchboard.

 

[Carter2100]

OK, what about "CIC", as in the dispatcher saying "I will notify CIC"?

 

[Ronaldski]

From my webpage at my signature, your mileage may vary:
A.I. Accident Investigator
A.L.S. Advanced Life Support (ALPHA)
A.C.F.A. Attempt to Commit Felonious Assault
A.D.W. Assault with a Deadly Weapon
A.R.M. Alternate Report Method
(No written report)
A.R.T.C.C. Air Route Traffic Control Center
A.T.I.S. Automatic Terminal Information
Service (Airports)
A.T.L. Attempt To Locate
A.W.O.S. Automated Weather Observation
System
B.C.J. Bay County Jail
B.L.S. Basic Life Support (BRAVO)
B.M.C. Bay Regional Medical Center
B.O.L. Be On the Lookout
C.C.W. Carrying Concealed Weapon
C.H.F. Congestive Heart Failure
C.L.N.C. Clearance (Airports)
C.M.I.S. Criminal Management Information
System
C.S.C. Criminal Sexual Conduct
D.M.E Distance measuring equipment- planes
D.W.I. Driving While Intoxicated
D.W.L.S. Driving While License Suspended
E.T.O.H. Alcohol
F.A.C. Failed to Appear in Court
F.C.J. Failure to Comply with Judgment
F.T.A. Failure To Appear (in court)
F.T.C. Failure To Comply
(with court judgment)
G.O.A. Gone On Arrival
H & R Hit & Run
H.E.A.R.N Hospital Emergency Administrative
Radio Network
HEELO Helicopter
HIWAS Hazardous In-flight Weather
Advisory Service
HOOK Tow truck
ILS Instrument Landing System
K Killed
KEYHOLDER Has keys to get into the place
L.E.I.N. Law Enforcement Information Network
L.F.A. Larceny from a Vehicle
L.Z. Landing Zone (helicopters)
M.E. Medical Examiner
M.I.P. Minors In Possession of alcohol or
Tobacco
M.D.O.P. Malicious Destruction Of Property
M.D.T. Mobile Data Terminal
M.S.O. Marine Safety Officer (Coast Guard)
N.C.I.C. National Crime Information Center
O.D. Officer of the Day (Coast Guard)
O.T.L. Out To Lunch
O.U.I.L. Operating Under the Influence of
Liquor (or O.U.)
P & L Prostitution & Loitering
PAT.COMM. PATrol COMMander (Coast Guard)
P.B.T. Portable Breathalyzer Test
P.D.A. Property Damage Accident
P.I. Personal Injury accident
P.I.W. Person(s) In Water
P.O.B. Persons On Board
P.P.O. Personal Protection Order
R.A. Robbery Armed
R.T.D. Return To Department – Lunch/Dinner
RIG Ambulance
RUNNER Someone responsible at the place
RVR Runway Visual Range
S.A.R. Search And Rescue
S.O.R. Sex Offender Registration
S.O.S. Secretary Of State
T.X. Telephone call
TRACON Terminal Radar Control Facility
U.C. Under Cover
U.D.A.A. Unlawfully Driving Away an
Automobile
U.T.L. Unable To Locate
V.C.S.A. Violation of Chemical Substance Act
V.F.R. Visual Flight Rules (Airplanes)
V.O.R. VHF Omni-directional Radio-range
(Airplanes)
V.P.H.C. Violation of Public Health Code

 

[ScanManQSL]

OK, what about "CIC", as in the dispatcher saying "I will notify CIC"?

CIC = Command Information Center

 

[bobs415]

What's a "dough-boy?"

 

[DickH]

What's a "dough-boy?"

If you are in Boston it's the Doughboy Doghnut Shop. All the cops, firefighters and Fire Buffs know where it is.

 

[bobs415]

If you are in Boston it's the Doughboy Doghnut Shop. All the cops, firefighters and Fire Buffs know where it is.

The context in which I heard it was a deputy calling in a license plate number, then identifying the driver and his/her passenger, as, "xyz123 Florida reg, female driver and a doughboy."

 

[DickH]

The context in which I heard it was a deputy calling in a license plate number, then identifying the driver and his/her passenger, as, "xyz123 Florida reg, female driver and a doughboy."

I guess you've never seen a Pillsbury ad.

 

[beastieboy101]

This is what i was thinking more of.

Urban Dictionary: Dough Boy

 

[bobs415]

That was sort of my inference as well. Thanks for your response.

 

[vinzep491]

thats funny. doughboy, ha