Police two-way radios are essential pieces of equipment, to protect citizens as well as the officers themselves from harm. Miscommunication among law enforcement, fire fighters and emergency crews can result in injuries or even loss of life, which is why dependable, powerful and secure two-way radio systems are crucial. Discover the history of police two-way walkie-talkies and learn how internal radio communications are used by law enforcement and emergency workers to dispatch units, relay important information and request backup. Also discussed are the most vital features for police radio systems, and how base stations and repeaters can be used for wider signal reach.

The History of Police Two-Way Radios
Police units were the first to use mobile two-way radio. Wireless communications in vehicles was first developed in 1923 in Australia and used by the Victoria police department in their cars (taking up the entire back seat). The equipment in time became more compact and powerful. In 1933, the Bayonne, New Jersey police department was the first to successfully use two-way radio communications between a fixed location and transceivers that were installed in police cars, enabling quicker response time for emergency situations. In-car and handheld two-way radios for police continue to evolve, with police digital radio systems using narrow band communications, which allows more agencies and jurisdictions to communicate with each other and even send data to radios. The newest radios feature encrypted digital voice communication, integrated Bluetooth technology and full color displays.

How Police and Emergency Workers Use Walkie-Talkies
Today, police two-way radios are used in every aspect of the job. They’re used to dispatch officers to investigate criminal activity, enabling faster response times. Police use walkie-talkies to call in for information about suspects and to request backup. Two-way police radios are used for interagency communications between police departments, government agencies and other emergency workers. They also serve as an all-important “lifeline” for officers working alone, in the event of an injury or other type of emergency. During search and rescue operations, two-way radios allow various groups to share crucial information and organize their efforts.

Digital Radios, Base Stations and Repeaters – Two-Way Radios for Police
Basic features that are essential for police radios include wide range capability, durability for harsh environments and the ability to effortlessly connect to others in their unit, their precinct and other support organizations. Digital radios are ideal, since the technology allows for private conversations as well as transmissions to various groups of users. There is also increased voice clarity and security with digital technology. The likelihood of an intercepted transmission is greatly reduced. Integrated emergency channels such as the NOAA Weather Service is important so emergency workers – not just police, but also search and rescue teams, fire fighters and others – can keep informed about ground conditions.

For communication between the police station in a particular precinct and their mobile units, a base station and external antenna is used. Repeaters placed in strategic locations receive and retransmit radio signals, greatly extending the two-way radio system’s range.