NJSP Troop Cars

[Highpockets]

Some of that may be true, but if the trooper can't hear it becasuse he is too far away it's worthless.

SPEN is not repeated. A trooper in Roxbury is not going to hear a pursuit coming his way in Parsippany on 280, in time to position himself to join in.

On previous occasions where pursuits were going east to west, the dispatcher always had to brodcast the location every 30sec. Going back a few years, SPEN radios were in the cars. It now appears they are starting it up again.

If it works i'm all for it, but there must have been a reason they stopped, other than financial considerations.

Now I hear troopers asking dispatchers if they heard the last SPEN transmission. So I doubt they are getting everything, probably kibbles and bits.

I agree with you. (Finally). I guess they'll be happy, the more toys the better.

 

[APX8000]

I'm not so sure all the GSP cars have SPEN radios. I was calling a unit on SPEN who was right in front of me numerous times wothout success.

And as far as monitoring, I called NJSP for an accident once 4 times over SPEN while waiting for somone to pick up the 911 cell call as well. Bergen County finally answered me and sent what I needed.

So I guess it equates to it all depends on who is working and who has the volume turned up.

 

[SCPD]

I'm not so sure all the GSP cars have SPEN radios. I was calling a unit on SPEN who was right in front of me numerous times wothout success.

And as far as monitoring, I called NJSP for an accident once 4 times over SPEN while waiting for somone to pick up the 911 cell call as well. Bergen County finally answered me and sent what I needed.

So I guess it equates to it all depends on who is working and who has the volume turned up.

Correct.

 

[o5386]

I noticed lately the troop cars have VHF High Band Antennas on the roof. Do they now have SPEN in the car?

SPEN radios are now being installed in new troop cars (since 2005 model year for the Crown Vics), don't know about specialists with the Durangos or other vehicles. The GSP cars had SPEN in since at least '97 or '98.

 

[res5cue]

alot of the newer troop cars have VHF radios in them mainly for ALL the SPEN channels. I have heard there are a bunch of other channels in them but at this time I am not sure what they are but I will find out. B2-9 is the offical SPEN-1 rebroadcast talkgroup. It is not up all the time. But SPEN1 can be rebroadcasted over ANY talkgroup on the NJSP trunked system. There were issues with B2-9 and SPEN 1 being patched all the time cause B2-9 is also used as an additional CAR to CAR channel like B2-7 and at times they use it for ops like TEAMS call outs and high risk warrants. i know a bunch of the PSTs at ODU north and some of them get totally annoyed when the troopers ask if they heard it on SPEN and some of them are happy cause alot of them dont keep spen up on their consoles.. alot of shifts have a PST who usually keeps SPEN up but thats not 100% reliable as us dispatchers in other agenices know lol..

 

[jaymatt1978]

I have a feeling it's not just SPEN but maybe the new VTAC channels and some other stuff as well. We all know SPEN1 can and has been patched to a number of different talkgroups but I think it might be on a "as needed basis" and the patch isn't on all the time. I don't know. Has anyone seen a NJSP with a high band antenna onit

 

[Bentley]

One word: Interoperability

Example, I'm sure you have all heard by now about the berkeley twp, ocean county officer's vehicle that was struck by another vehicle (hit and run) after trying to make a MV stop a few days ago. Well, berkeley twp. PD requested a state police helicopter to search the wooded areas near the scene of the accident, as they believed the suspect vehicle took off into the woods (it was a 'lifted' bronco with mud all over it). Along with the state police helicopter, the ocean county sheriff's department K-9, ocean county prosecutors office, lacey police, manchester police and berkeley police were all involved with the search. All communications took place on S.P.E.N. 1. The helo was able to communicate with ALL field units. All field units were able to coordinate with each other via S.P.E.N. 1.

Just my $0.02

If you have not heard about this story, HERE is a link to the APP article.

 

[mlevin312]

What is SPEN

I keep seeing this term "SPEN" can someone explain to me what exactly it is? Either on this forum or via email mlevin312@yahoo.com.

 

[Bentley]

as xpawel stated it stands for the State Police Emergency Network. Basically its a group of frequencies that are used so different police departments can talk to each other , amongst other things.

 

[SCPD]

One word: Interoperability

Example, I'm sure you have all heard by now about the berkeley twp, ocean county officer's vehicle that was struck by another vehicle (hit and run) after trying to make a MV stop a few days ago. Well, berkeley twp. PD requested a state police helicopter to search the wooded areas near the scene of the accident, as they believed the suspect vehicle took off into the woods (it was a 'lifted' bronco with mud all over it). Along with the state police helicopter, the ocean county sheriff's department K-9, ocean county prosecutors office, lacey police, manchester police and berkeley police were all involved with the search. All communications took place on S.P.E.N. 1. The helo was able to communicate with ALL field units. All field units were able to coordinate with each other via S.P.E.N. 1.

Just my $0.02

If you have not heard about this story, HERE is a link to the APP article.

Why would you assume we all heard about this? I didn't, I live in Morris County.

 

[Bentley]

I'm sorry, I just ASSumed.

 

[SCPD]

I'm sorry, I just ASSumed.

Apology not necessary. Just an observation.

 

[o5386]

I have a feeling it's not just SPEN but maybe the new VTAC channels and some other stuff as well.

I'm not sure what VTAC channels are, but I don't think it's in the SP cars. Regular SP cars will have antennas for the following radios.

800 MHz SP radios
SPEN
MVR (the old MVR transmitters operated around 154-156 MHz)
In car computers
AM/FM car radio

 

[DJ88]

Along with the state police helicopter, the ocean county sheriff's department K-9, ocean county prosecutors office, lacey police, manchester police and berkeley police were all involved with the search. All communications took place on S.P.E.N. 1. The helo was able to communicate with ALL field units.

I monitored some of that and heard SouthStar talking to someone about it on SPEN 1 a few times. Did you hear them? I found it odd that SouthStar would be participating on a law enforcement operation, unless they were on their way back from a call and were diverted there for assistance. I actually didn't hear any other choppers.

 

[elias1988]

Southstar assisted in the search because they have a FLIR infrared camera.

 

[ctrabs74]

I'm not sure what VTAC channels are, but I don't think it's in the SP cars.

VTAC, if I'm not mistaken, are the nationwide mutual aid channels used by law enforcment which are assigned in the VHF band (UTAC is the equivalent for UHF and ITAC for 800mhz). If an NJSP car has SPEN (which, IIRC, is VHF), then they should have VTAC.

 

[SCPD]

I monitored some of that and heard SouthStar talking to someone about it on SPEN 1 a few times. Did you hear them? I found it odd that SouthStar would be participating on a law enforcement operation, unless they were on their way back from a call and were diverted there for assistance. I actually didn't hear any other choppers.

Both medical helicopters will assist law enforcement on a search, but the medical call takes priority.