Il ISP Car Designators
- Thread starter flborror
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Thank you
One thing is that is slightly incorrect is that " car" is also used on the Tollway for patrol units they do not use 15-XX its Car-XX and they still call it Oak Brook though the Tollway district offices have been in Unincorporated Downers Grove for nearly 30 years.
VASCAR2
Member
The D units are Division of Administration for ISP. There are several Divisions within the ISP for example Division of Operations contains the uniform patrol and ISP Districts. There is a Division of Investigation, Division of Forensic Services and other Divisions within the ISP. The Z (Zebra units) may work out of the Directors office or central headquarters. The D units might work for bureau of logistics or other office out of the Division of operations. Some Zebra units might actually be assigned to legal affairs or other unit specified by the table of organization.
All the Divisions are laid out in the ISP Table of Organization. The sworn head count is authorized by State Statute but is dictated by operational necessity and budgetary obligations. Allocations of resources is determined by Administration, politics and perceived priorities.
The crash reconstruction officers use O prefix as they are assigned through the Division of Operations which has the District patrol and specialty uniform units within it TO. The radio identifiers don’t always follow the TO and not always completely current as there is a procedure for changing radio identifier so they function within the CAD and payroll/time keeping computer systems.
The DA call sign is used by State Fire Marshals like David Adam 21 (DA21).
The letter K is used in conjunction with District # to identify K9 (Police Canine assigned Trooper) as an example 16K9-1 and 16K9-2 when there are two or more K9Troopers within a District.
All the Divisions are laid out in the ISP Table of Organization. The sworn head count is authorized by State Statute but is dictated by operational necessity and budgetary obligations. Allocations of resources is determined by Administration, politics and perceived priorities.
The crash reconstruction officers use O prefix as they are assigned through the Division of Operations which has the District patrol and specialty uniform units within it TO. The radio identifiers don’t always follow the TO and not always completely current as there is a procedure for changing radio identifier so they function within the CAD and payroll/time keeping computer systems.
The DA call sign is used by State Fire Marshals like David Adam 21 (DA21).
The letter K is used in conjunction with District # to identify K9 (Police Canine assigned Trooper) as an example 16K9-1 and 16K9-2 when there are two or more K9Troopers within a District.
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Just a recent update...the K (King) units are the crash reconstruction officers now . (K-xx as an example.)
VASCAR2
Member
The Crash Reconstruction Troopers might have changed radio identifier as I haven’t heard any in a while. A Friend of mine transferred out of the Crash Reconstruction Unit so I don’t have any others in close proximity. One thing about the ISP is they are in a state of perpetual change. I haven’t noticed any ISP vehicles with K prefix license plates. It is possible the Crash Reconstruction Troopers still have the O prefix license plates.
It is not uncommon for a Trooper to drive a vehicle where the license plate is different than his radio identifier. I know in District 15 if a Trooper changed vehicles they had to advise Radio they were in a different vehicle. Back in the 80’s the Tollway 800 MGHz radios transmitted ANI which also was linked to the emergency button. If a Radio Emergency button was pushed it would show up in the CAD which Trooper was using that radio/vehicle. It would also show up in the CAD which unit was transmitting. The unit ID is always transmitted in Starcom and Radio is usually advised if a Trooper is in a different vehicle.
With trunked Starcom there is still the emergency button which is linked to the specific Trooper’s portable radio and a particular mobile mounted in a specific vehicle.
It is not uncommon for a Trooper to drive a vehicle where the license plate is different than his radio identifier. I know in District 15 if a Trooper changed vehicles they had to advise Radio they were in a different vehicle. Back in the 80’s the Tollway 800 MGHz radios transmitted ANI which also was linked to the emergency button. If a Radio Emergency button was pushed it would show up in the CAD which Trooper was using that radio/vehicle. It would also show up in the CAD which unit was transmitting. The unit ID is always transmitted in Starcom and Radio is usually advised if a Trooper is in a different vehicle.
With trunked Starcom there is still the emergency button which is linked to the specific Trooper’s portable radio and a particular mobile mounted in a specific vehicle.
There are still O-Ocean units out there, but the CRO's updated their radio signatures about 6 months ago. It was noted in the 2021 Starcom thread. Since they come out on fatal accidents, and K-King is a condition used on the Illinois Traffic Crash report designating a fatality, probably was all related. I document the Radio ID's, and have updated 10 of the O-Ocean units as K-King.
A little ISP listening tip, if you hear the trooper say "notify a CRO we have a K-King here", it means we have a fatality. Might also hear "we have a K-King (times two/three etc)", means multiple fatalities. They might put out a request for a CRO on the radio, or page them out. Either way, you'll hear them respond.."K-34 10-41 investigations"..."K-34..10-23...give me a 4 hour watchdog...which means don't bother me for 4 hours, I have work to do..LOL!
A little ISP listening tip, if you hear the trooper say "notify a CRO we have a K-King here", it means we have a fatality. Might also hear "we have a K-King (times two/three etc)", means multiple fatalities. They might put out a request for a CRO on the radio, or page them out. Either way, you'll hear them respond.."K-34 10-41 investigations"..."K-34..10-23...give me a 4 hour watchdog...which means don't bother me for 4 hours, I have work to do..LOL!
I have a large list of UIDfor D-5 cars with matching license plates ex:5-13 but every so often must re check them as they must change cars because they don't match up like mentioned
They usually get promoted, or transfer to K-9. My list is closing in on 3600 Radio ID's, but I scan all the districts.
VASCAR2
Member
The StarCom ID numbers for ISP is usually the Trooper’s personal ID number. Troopers typically work 20-30 years. The latest hired Troopers have 7000+ ID numbers. ISP ID numbers are rarely if ever re-used.
If a Trooper is involved in a crash he might be in a utility car for several weeks. The radio tech will not re-flash a StarCom radio with a different ID number or programming unless it is required. Many times if a Trooper changes assigned vehicle they switch the mobile radio out of the previous vehicle. This helps with inventory and requires less programming.
A lot of sworn ISP would have retired or left the Department since StarCom went live. I suspect there are currently 1800-2000 active sworn ISP.
There were a lot of active ID numbers that were less than 2000 in 1990 and I suspect there are few ID’s in the 3000 range still working today. ISP has a mandatory age 60 retirement.
If a Trooper is involved in a crash he might be in a utility car for several weeks. The radio tech will not re-flash a StarCom radio with a different ID number or programming unless it is required. Many times if a Trooper changes assigned vehicle they switch the mobile radio out of the previous vehicle. This helps with inventory and requires less programming.
A lot of sworn ISP would have retired or left the Department since StarCom went live. I suspect there are currently 1800-2000 active sworn ISP.
There were a lot of active ID numbers that were less than 2000 in 1990 and I suspect there are few ID’s in the 3000 range still working today. ISP has a mandatory age 60 retirement.
Chicago2210
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Could someone explain what a watchdog is?
VASCAR2
Member
A watchdog is a pre set time for a status check for certain activity. An example is a traffic stop. When an Officer stops a vehicle and calls in the stop to radio, radio then advise the vehicle description and if the vehicle is wanted. The Officer usually have five minutes to respond. If the Officer doesn’t update his status (Runs driver’s check, ect.) radio ask the Officer his status. If the Officer doesn’t respond via radio another officer is sent to the last known location where the Officer fails to answer status check.
The "L" identifiers, does this apply to license plates as well? I saw L-4 and L-9 near Chicago a few months back, a Taurus and Charger, both unmarked. L is "Air Operations", so seeing a Taurus and Charger with those LP's threw me off a bit.
VASCAR2
Member
That is correct, ISP plates with L designator are pilots but once airborne they use the P-Paul disgnation assigned to the airplane.
I took my Grandson to Capital Airport last week and one of the ISP Cessna 172’s was parked outside the hanger so I took a photo. Notice the FLIR mounted low below the rear window and rearward of the left landing gear. I can’t remember for sure but I think the pilots use the plane tail number when communicating with the FAA tower and not the Paul designation which is used for LE communications. The tail number is N551SP or 551Sierra Papa.
I took my Grandson to Capital Airport last week and one of the ISP Cessna 172’s was parked outside the hanger so I took a photo. Notice the FLIR mounted low below the rear window and rearward of the left landing gear. I can’t remember for sure but I think the pilots use the plane tail number when communicating with the FAA tower and not the Paul designation which is used for LE communications. The tail number is N551SP or 551Sierra Papa.
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Correct, they use the tail number when on their VHF air radios. I've also heard the "SP" phonetically given as "Sugar Pop" on the aircraft radios.That is correct, ISP plates with L designator are pilots but once airborne they use the P-Paul disgnation assigned to the airplane.
I took my Grandson to Capital Airport last week and one of the ISP Cessna 172’s was parked outside the hanger so I took a photo. Notice the FLIR mounted low below the rear window and rearward of the left landing gear. I can’t remember for sure but I think the pilots use the plane tail number when communicating with the FAA tower and not the Paul designation which is used for LE communications. The tail number is N551SP or 551Sierra Papa.
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