Toronto Police callsigns
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Are you trying to identify the numbers you see on patrol cars and SUV's?
DC-42
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How so?
I already know the numbers on the cars and what they mean, it's the vehicles callsigns on the radio I'm confused about.
Toronto Police Radios are encrypted. Which radio communications are you referring to?
DC-42
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I know they are encrypted, but the radio callsigns have something to do with patrol zones and I would like to understand more about those. Hoping maybe a retired/current officer would answer this thread with his knowledge.
slicerwizard
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And we'd like to understand where you're getting these callsigns from. And maybe some examples of which ones you want clarification on.
BTW, good luck getting a current TPS officer to hand out radio-related details on a public forum. Surely you're aware of the TPS radio-related douchebaggery that has what, a dozen or so individuals in deep excrement these days?
BTW, good luck getting a current TPS officer to hand out radio-related details on a public forum. Surely you're aware of the TPS radio-related douchebaggery that has what, a dozen or so individuals in deep excrement these days?
If you like ancient history, this was discussed here sixteen years ago and is probably irrelevant now. Not sure if it is of use to you.
forums.radioreference.com
Toronto Police Call Signs
Anyone notice that the Toronto Police have reverted to 'new' call signs? My theory is there were too many problems with the 'old new' call signs and too many compalints from the force. Anyone have the official word?
DC-42
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If you like ancient history, this was discussed here sixteen years ago and is probably irrelevant now. Not sure if it is of use to you.
Toronto Police Call Signs
Anyone notice that the Toronto Police have reverted to 'new' call signs? My theory is there were too many problems with the 'old new' call signs and too many compalints from the force. Anyone have the official word?
That would be the article that lead me here.
Considering the fact that the TPS radio frequencies are encrypted I do have a theory about the car numbers that was said in the old post that I'm not sure still applies.
Here it is:
The first two numbers are the division
And the third number is the "patrol zone"
Patrol Zone
Whilst the fourth number is the unit number.
Example:
1423
14 = Division
2 = Patrol Zone
3= unit number
Based on experience with similar services today. Dont rely too heavily on that. Most dispatching is done via MDT and calls are picked up by either the first available car or nearest car. There is no way to determine what car will respond to what call. Even if the service was unencrypted you would be up against that headache. Add to the fact that many services dispatch primarily by MDT and only the car being actively dispatched gets the information about the call.
Showing too much interest in trying to track a particular car or groups of cars will not look good.
Showing too much interest in trying to track a particular car or groups of cars will not look good.
DC-42
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Ahh, so everything is thru MDT's these days huh, well I guess my little callsign venture ends here.
I chose the 14th division car as a random example, as they are the ones I see most frequently. This whole thing started when I started seeing this one police car patrolling the same spot every day and I wondered if they actually had assigned patrol routes. Sorry to disappoint you but no major heist planning going on over here lol
LOL I didnt think you were planning one. Just in these days of paranoia everything is looked at suspiciously you cant have a legit curiosity about anything any more.
One additional piece of the puzzle that may explain seeing certain cars regularly. Again based on experience. Many departments do have patrol areas. A certain car will be assigned a specific area that while not on an active call the car will be hanging around in. This is for several reasons some of which are to 'show the colors' or to allow officers to become familiar with the area and all the side streets locations of house numbers. They also get to know in a general way the local community. This last is something that has faded away over the years and has added to the increasing separation between LE and the people they are supposed to serve and assist.
One additional piece of the puzzle that may explain seeing certain cars regularly. Again based on experience. Many departments do have patrol areas. A certain car will be assigned a specific area that while not on an active call the car will be hanging around in. This is for several reasons some of which are to 'show the colors' or to allow officers to become familiar with the area and all the side streets locations of house numbers. They also get to know in a general way the local community. This last is something that has faded away over the years and has added to the increasing separation between LE and the people they are supposed to serve and assist.
This thread perfectly captures the social cost of law enforcement encryption.
DC-42
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I guess that's true... I honestly think Toronto police should transition into a more community-based approach (bring back Beat officers lol)but I don't think that's ever going to happen.
I understand the privacy aspect as to why their radios are encrypted but it is annoying and it does remove a level of transparency between the police and the city.
Toronto Police Service could consider providing a time delayed Official Feed that they would control what is disseminated to the public.
Some American agencies have approached Broadcastify and prefer it in this form rather than scanner users feeding the stream. But six years have past now since they went silent and they will most likely keep the status quo.
Some American agencies have approached Broadcastify and prefer it in this form rather than scanner users feeding the stream. But six years have past now since they went silent and they will most likely keep the status quo.
I dont know exactly where LE got the attitude of we cannot trust the public but its now firmly entrenched. LE is always asking for public help on issues but when that help is provided they slap a lid on further details such as arrests etc. Its this process that has virtually destroyed the TIPS system.
I am very pro-LE. Its a difficult job with very few upsides. Encryption has excluded the public from participating passively in any way. LE has the ability to address some of this but apparently lacks the desire to do so. Any internal discussions about such issues quickly get shot down with the you cant trust or control the public therefore for officer and investigative safety the best policy is a need to know policy and keep everything out of the public domain.
I am very pro-LE. Its a difficult job with very few upsides. Encryption has excluded the public from participating passively in any way. LE has the ability to address some of this but apparently lacks the desire to do so. Any internal discussions about such issues quickly get shot down with the you cant trust or control the public therefore for officer and investigative safety the best policy is a need to know policy and keep everything out of the public domain.
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