NCJ Number
77978
Journal
Police Research Bulletin Issue: 35/36 Dated: (Autumn 1980/Spring 1981) Pages: 39-48
Date Published
1981
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This is the last of a series of British articles on the new West Midlands (England) police control complex. It describes the post office telecommunications and the radio systems.
Abstract
The communications control at Bournville Police Station, Birmingham was opened at the beginning of 1979 to replace those at Birmingham, Brierley Hill, and Coventry. The system is unique in many respects: its external circuits and much of the equipment have been provided by the post office. In the central control at Bournville, the heart of the system, are 22 operators' consoles, especially constructed to accommodate the necessary telephone, radio, and computer equipment, which is common to each position. These consoles and their equipment are deemed sufficient for growth to the mid 1980's. Components of the system include telecommunications circuits, a teleprinter network, a private telephone network, and VHF and UHF radio systems. Its capabilities include selective presentation, intercommunication, 'talk-through' and 'connect,' remote control from the headquarter command post, and access to a traffic control channel. UHF mobiles, or beat patrol cars used for preventive policing, are equipped with adaptors that convert the hand-held set to a mobile UHF unit. Subdivisional cars, used as response vehicles, are equipped in addition to the UHF facility with long-range VHF radio as an alternative means of communication. Extensive charts are provided.