PREFACE
The System The City of Portland Bureau for Emergency Communications (B.O.E.C.), dispatches the Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police, Troutdale Police, Fairview Police, Multnomah County Sheriff's Department, Portland Fire Bureau, and Emergency Medical Services for the entire region of Multnomah County.
The dispatchers at B.O.E.C. are some of the best you will find anywhere. I have been monitoring in Multnomah County for over 20 years and have heard very few unprofessional or erroneous calls. These people along with the agencies they dispatch are Top Notch and have the most stressful jobs I can imagine.
What Are They Saying?
For those new to monitoring law enforcement or new to Multnomah County, deciphering the messages in a call can be intimidating. Knowing the codes as listed below will help but there are a few things that will help you filter out some of those numbers that make it so confusing. The first thing to ignore is the time. It may not be obvious at first but some of those numbers are just the 24 hour formatted time at the end of each call. Another number to ignore if you are not actively logging a particular unit or district is the first number of any transmission, it is almost always the unit number.
The important thing to listen for is the address, they usually only dispatch it once and you could listen to the whole call and still not know the location. The other information in priority calls will usually be discussed repeatedly, so the first thing to listen for is the address.
All police and fire personnel now have MDT's (Mobile Data Terminals) installed in their vehicles. Although the call is usually broadcast, some of the specific information may be sent to the "Box" or "Screen". This makes it a bit harder to know what is going on but you should be able to get most of the information if you listen carefully.
What NOT To Do!
Don't go! The last thing the police need is a bunch of people walking around in a perimeter or adding confusion to the scene. You may find yourself at the mercy of a K-9 who just tracked you, or even worse at the end of a gun from either an officer or a suspect. Pursuits can be very fun to listen to and even more so to watch but resist the temptation, many uninvolved people lose their lives every year to pursuits. Don't become a statistic, be a GOOD MONITOR.
FREQUENCIES & TALKGROUPS
TRUNKING FREQUENCIES These are the frequencies for the Portland Area Public Safety Motorola Type II Analog Trunking System. Although it is possible to monitor these frequencies with a standard scanner the conversation will jump to an entirely different frequency making it almost impossible to follow a complete conversation. The solution to this problem is the use of a Trunk Tracking Scanner and entering the Talkgroup codes listed in the next section. Base Frequencies
851.2875 |
856.2625 |
857.4625 |
858.7125 |
860.2625 |
Gap Fillers
East |
NorthEast |
South |
TALKGROUPS The talk groups listed below are only those directly related to law enforcement agencies within Multnomah County, Oregon. Some of the entries are only a "best guess" based on information gathered from various sources. 'Also contained within this system but not listed below are all public safety agencies including Fire, EMS & Public Works as well as some frequencies for Vancouver, Washington and Milwaukie, Oregon. A complete listing can be found at Uniden's TrunkTracker Site.
Four digit unit number identification: 1st digit: As defined below 2nd digit: Agency identification 3rd & 4th digit: Unit number. |
|
0000-0099: Multnomah Sheriff Patrol |
1000-1999: Traffic UnitsÊ |
07472 - PPB Central |
Records 02576 - Records |
07536 - PPB Central - Tac 1 |
08565 - Metro Law 1 |
ACRONYMS & TERMS
This is not meant to be a comprehensive listing, but rather a list of commonly used acronyms and other terms used by agencies within Multnomah County.
ALS |
- Advanced Life Support |
BOEC |
- Bureau of Emergeny Communications |
BOOSTER |
- Shoplifter |
COMET |
- Corridor Management Team |
CRISS |
- Columbia Regional Information Sharing System |
DK |
- Drunk |
DUII |
- Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants |
DVD |
- Drug & Vice Division |
DWI |
- Driving While Intoxicated |
FIR |
- Field Interview Report |
GFES |
- Gresham Fire & Emergency Services |
ICS |
- Incident Command System |
JDH |
- Juvenile Detention Home |
LEDS |
- Law Enforcement Data System (Oregon) |
MCCF |
- Multnomah County Correctional Facility |
MCCHJ |
- Multnomah County Court House Jail |
MCRC |
- Multnomah County Restitution Center |
MCDC |
- Multnomah County Detention Center (Main Jail) |
MCIJ |
- Multnomah County Inverness Jail |
MDC |
- Mobile Data Computer (Box) |
MDT |
- Mobile Data Terminal (Box) |
NCIC |
- National Crime Information Center (Database) |
ODL |
- Oregon Driver's License |
OSP |
- Oregon State Police |
PFB |
- Portland Fire Bureau |
PPB |
- Portland Police Bureau |
PPS |
- Portland Public Schools |
RO |
- Registered Owner |
RP |
- Responsible Party |
SERT |
- Special Emergency Response Team (SWAT) |
SIU |
- Special Investigations Unit |
TAG |
- Electronic Tracking Device |
TAG |
- Parking Citation |
TAGS |
- Licence Plates / Registration Stickers |
UTL |
- Unable to Locate |
UUMV |
- Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle |
VIN |
- Vehicle Identification Number |
CODES & DISPOSITIONS
STATUS CODESStatus Codes are codes used for clarification of transmissions and to shorten communication time between dispatcher and units. Some of these codes are not used very often and I have tried to make mention of the most commonly used codes.
10-2 |
Radio Signal Good |
- Seldom used |
10-4 |
Affirmative |
- Also means Situation OK |
10-6 |
Busy |
- Seldom used |
10-7 |
Out of Service |
- Usually for restroom visit |
10-8 |
In Service |
- Generally used by dispatcher after cancel |
10-11 |
Beginning Shift |
- Most units now log on to MDT |
10-19 |
Return to Location |
- 610 10-19 to East for "Ride along" |
10-20 |
Present Location |
- Sometimes just referred to as 20 |
10-21 |
Telephone Dispatch |
- Usually send sensitive info by MDT |
10-23 |
Arrived at Location |
- Almost always used |
10-27 |
Drivers License Information |
- Seldom used |
10-28 |
Vehicle Registration Information |
- Seldom used |
10-29 |
Warrant Information |
- Seldom used |
10-30 |
Dangerous Situation |
- Seldom used |
10-34 |
Request Current Time |
- Dispatcher gives time on every call |
10-42 |
Change Talk Group |
- 610 10-42 to East for a call |
10-43 |
Telephone Precinct |
- 610 10-43 North Desk Sgt. |
10-45 |
Open Sally Port / Gate |
- Open the secure garage door |
10-46 |
Confidential |
- 610 check your Box (MDT) for a 10-46 call |
10-47 |
Minor Injury |
- Seldom used |
10-48 |
Severe Injury |
- Seldom used |
10-49 |
Fatal Injury |
- Usually say "Possible 55" (CRISS Code) |
10-51 |
Sensitive Information |
- Usually sent to MDT |
10-52 |
Felony Warrant |
- Always used when subject is wanted |
10-53 |
Misdemeanor Warrant |
- Always used when subject is wanted |
10-54 |
Warrant Confirmed |
- Seldom used. Usually done on Records |
10-55 |
Subject Flagged Dangerous |
- Usually just read flag |
10-61 |
Subject In Custody |
- Sometimes just say 61 |
10-62 |
Transporting Prisoner |
- 610 10-62 to MCDC with two |
10-63 |
Transporting Citizen |
- 610 I'll be in route to xxx w/ victim |
10-64 |
Transport Complete |
- 610 10-64 returning to district |
10-71 |
Out of Service - Warrant Service |
- Better HIDE!! |
10-72 |
Out of Service - Detail |
- Usually just say "610 on a detail from 124" |
10-73 |
Out of Service - Follow Up |
- Usually say "I'll be at xxx on a follow up" |
10-74 |
Out of Service - Servicing Equipment |
- 610 10-74 to Stanton Yard for chains |
10-75 |
Out of Service - Stake Out |
- Usually say CODE 5 at xxx |
10-81 |
Conditionally Available - Coffee Break |
- When they can get one! |
10-82 |
Conditionally Available - Meal Break |
- Better eat FAST!! |
10-83 |
Conditionally Available - Report Writing |
- This is the dirty work |
10-84 |
Conditionally Available - Checking Vehicle |
- Seldom used |
10-86 |
Conditionally Available - Walk & Talk |
- Seldom used |
10-89 |
Conditionally Available - Other |
- Never used |
DISPOSITIONSDisposition Codes are used for entry into the incident log and are used when a unit clears the call. They are used to indicate the resolution of the call.
Q - DISPATCHER TERMINATED |
|
1 - Cancel |
- Used if a call was canceled |
2 - Re-Assigned |
- Usually due to assignment error |
R - REPORT WILL BE WRITTEN |
|
1 - Original |
- Most calls end with R1 (Phonetic seldom used) |
2 - Supplemental |
- 610 10-8 R2 |
S - UNABLE TO LOCATE |
|
1 - Person |
- 610 10-8 SAM 1 |
2 - Location |
- 610 10-8 SAM 2 |
3 - Subject Left Location |
- 610 10-8 SAM 3 (Added) |
T - PREMISE CHECKED |
|
1 - False Alarm |
- 610 10-8 TOM 1 |
2 - Found Secure |
-610 10-8 TOM 2 |
3 - Made Secure |
- 610 10-8 TOM 3 |
Z - WARRANT SERVICE |
|
1 - Served |
- 610 10-8 ZEBRA 1 |
2 - Not Served |
- 610 10-8 ZEBRA 2 |
W - CALL SERVICED |
|
1 - Assignment Complete |
- 610 10-8 WILLIE 1 (Very Common!) |
2 - Person Assisted |
- 610 10-8 WILLIE 2 |
3 - Person Advised |
- 610 10-8 WILLIE 3 |
4 - Hazard Removed |
- 610 10-8 WILLIE 4 |
5 - Delivered Person, Message or Package |
- 610 10-8 WILLIE 5 |
6 - Peace Restored |
- 610 10-8 WILLIE 6 |
7 - Nuisance Abated |
- 610 10-8 WILLIE 7 |
8 - Handled by Other Unit / Agency |
- 610 10-8 WILLIE 8 |
X - SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY |
|
1 - Person Checked OK |
- 610 10-8 XRAY 1 |
2 - Vehicle Checked OK |
- 610 10-8 XRAY 2 |
Y - ACTION TAKEN |
|
1 - FIR Complete |
- 610 10-8 YELLOW 1 (Field Interview Report) |
2 - Warning Issued |
- 610 10-8 YELLOW 2 |
3 - Citation Issued |
- 610 10-8 YELLOW 3 |
OTHER CODESSome codes have migrated from other services into the standard communications protocol. Although they are not official they are used with great frequency. Some of the other codes found here are official but do not fall under any of the other headings.
12-34 |
Mentally Unstable |
- Borrowed form EMS codes |
Code 0 |
Officer in Peril |
- Usually prompts a massive response |
Code 1 |
Low Priority / Obey all laws |
- At your convenience |
Code 2 |
Medium Priority |
- |
Code 3 |
High Priority |
- Lights & Siren |
Code 4 |
Situation Stable |
- Slow everybody down |
Code 5 |
Stake Out |
- Stay out of the area |
EMS Codes
AB3 |
|
abdominal complaint/vomiting with signs of shock |
BR3 |
|
breathing problem with no other symptoms |
BR1 |
|
breathing problems with signs of shock or unable to talk or turning blue |
CH3 |
|
chest pains with only one other symptom (i.e. chest pains and nausea) |
CH1 |
|
chest pains with 2 or more of assorted symptoms |
DR1 |
|
drowning with victim unconsious and difficulty or not breathing |
DR3 |
|
person not drowned but was under water but been brought back |
BU3 |
|
burn victim up to 18% burns on non vital areas (i.e. legs arms) or sunburn, etc |
BU1 |
|
burn victim with over 18% body covered regardless of area |
BE3 |
|
behaviorial problem with a stated medical need to respond along with police |
DI3 |
|
diabetic problem not yet unconscious or severely affected yet |
DI1 |
|
person going into diabetic coma, noted behaviorial change leaning to violence |
EL3 |
|
electrical shock |
EL1 |
|
severe shock by electrical device with other symptoms |
EY3 |
|
foreign object in eye (mace counts here) which is non penetrating |
EY1 |
|
same as above but object is penetrating |
FA3 |
|
person fell, still down, unknown status |
FA1 |
|
fall more than 20 feet with no known traumatic injuries (if obvious or stated injuries this becomes a trauma) |
BK3 |
|
non traumatic back injury in patient over 40, or unable to move for unknown reason |
BL3 |
|
bleeding and unable to control |
AS3 |
|
assault victim |
AS1 |
|
this is reserved for victims of gunshot wounds, cuttings, or rapes |
HE3 |
|
this is the worse headache patient ever had |
HC3 |
|
heat or cold problems |
HC1 |
|
same as above but also unconscious |
IN3 |
|
inhalation incident (like in ammonia and bleach mixing or that sort of thing) |
MN9 |
|
man down; usually used for our detox wagon |
SK3 |
|
sick person meeting triage criteria for code 3 response from ALS ambulance usually only showing signs of shock and unable to fit any other code |
ST3 |
|
stroke |
TR3 |
|
traumatic; injury to possible or non critical area |
TR1 |
|
traumatic injury to critical area or to possibly critical area with other symptoms |
TA9 |
|
multi-vehicle accident; fire only to check |
TA3 |
|
injury accident |
TA1 |
|
same as above but additionally violent mechanism (if caller calls and says head-on accident or pedestrian, motorcycle or bicycle involved we use this code, or with a pin-in or rollover) |
OD3 |
|
overdose |
OD1 |
|
overdose and unconsious |
UN3 |
|
unable to rouse, but no other problems |
UN1 |
|
unconscious, not breathing or having difficulties |
UK3 |
|
unknown med problem as in "I dont know what is wrong someone just told me to call" type of deal |