Professionalism/Etiquette

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NewSDScanner

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I've been listening to law enforcement and fire in this county for quite some time now and I've noticed that there is a HUGE difference in radio etiquette between San Diego Police Department and the various San Diego Sheriff's Offices as well as the other suburban PDs like Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad, etc...

Specifically, San Diego PD seems to be far less streamlined/professional on the radio than the others... It's hard to put into words here, it's just something you have to notice. I can give some examples though: San Diego PD seems to use a lot more words and more emotion can be heard in their dispatches which sounds both unprofessional and inefficient at times. Also, I've heard several of their more serious calls which can be listened to on this website and sometimes it's borderline ridiculous how many times the dispatcher has to repeat important information like location of call and description of suspects. There are several more serious calls on there were the officers are wasting precious radio time by asking for the 5th, 6th, and 7th time the address of the call and etc... In Vista Sheriff for example, they are VERY brief on the radio and even those deadly situations they do not argue, ask for anything repeated more than once, an etc...

Has anyone else noticed this? Could this be attributed to more outdated radios or MDTs in San Diego PD?
 

K6CDO

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Outdated radios? no. MDTs? maybe. Their data system uses commercial carriers and often has issues.

In keeping with San Diego's overall attitude of being the small town that grew up way to fast, SDPD has a decades-long history of seeming like a small town PD on the radio. After 6 years, my significant other (a former dispatcher from Northern California) still shakes her head at some of the on-air comments. On the other hand, as a native I kind of like it.
 

Elpablo

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You should listen to San Francisco PD sometime! I have heard dispatchers arguing with units, there is no repeating of info (as SDPD does pretty well) and basically there’s a lack of traffic direction on most of their main freqs.

Personally, I like the way SDPD radio is. I feel it gives us, the scanner listener, a better view of everyday operations than say something like SDSO which is brief and to the point. Just my opinion from where I sit (no LE background). I do think units step on each other way too much on the SD TRS.
 

JoeyC

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I love the SDPD style. If you want unprofessionalism, just look at MANY east coast departments! There are many reasons for giving details multiple times on the air. Not only could they have simply missed the dispatch the first time around but they could have been on another channel or paying attention to other more important issues on the scene. Repeating the description of a suspect multiple times over a period of time is not uncommon and is good practice. Most people cannot remember every detail of a description so clarification is bound to happen. Not everyone may have an MDC or the ability to look up the information during tense times on the street.
 

offsite

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JoeyC,

Maybe this is a good spot to ask a question I've had for quite a while.

When I used to listen to North Zone in the late 90s / early 00s, there was a female SDPD dispatcher who was unique in her style compared with anyone else I have heard over the last 35 yrs of monitoring here and in OC.

Her communication was flawless, but her delivery was more conversational than succinct... and I think the guys in the field really appreciated her reassuring, personal touch.

Over the years I noticed others would try to imitate her style, but only she had that undefinable element of charisma that allowed her to bring it off effectively without sounding affected.

I'm guessing you know the particular dispatcher I'm trying to describe... I've often thought it would be nice to send her an email of appreciation for her years of expertly guiding our guys thru the otherwise tarry sludge that some shifts presented.

She seems to have retired now, but I would like to send a note if she's still around the area.
 
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