The distribution and use of departmental satellite
telephones shall be in accordance with this directive.

DEFINITION

Substantial communications failure: Circumstances
where landline and cellular telephone services are
not available, and the police radio system is not functional.

ASSIGNMENT AND DISTRIBUTION

A. The assignment and distribution of departmental
satellite telephones shall be determined by the
Chief of Police or designee.

B. The Major Events Division (MED) shall maintain
a master list of departmental portable, mobile,
and fixed site satellite telephones. This list
shall be made available to all departmental
satellite telephone users. The master list shall include:

l. The name of the element or person assigned to the satellite telephone; and

2. The telephone number of the satellite telephone.
PORTABLE SATELLITE TELEPHONES

A. Portable satellite telephones are to be
charged regularly to maintain operational
readiness in the event of a substantial
communications failure.

B. Telephones Assigned to Elements

1. The portable satellite telephones shall
be kept at a location readily accessible to
the element commander or designee.

2. Elements assigned a portable satellite
telephone shall establish procedures in
their manual of operations that govern the
security and availability of their issued
telephone in the event of a substantial
communications failure and for training and
testing purposes.

C. Telephones Assigned to Individuals

1. Individuals assigned a portable satellite
telephone shall have it accessible for use
while on or off duty.

2. Individuals who are unavailable and have
delegated their authority to another person
shall ensure that the telephone is made
available to that person.

USE OF SATELLITE TELEPHONES

A. The satellite telephone shall be used
only for official police purposes during
periods of substantial communications failure.

Exceptions are allowed for testing of the
telephones or as determined appropriate by
the Chief of Police or designee.

B. In the event of a substantial communications
failure, the individual or element assigned a
satellite telephone shall contact the Communications
Division to obtain information regarding the situation.

1. If the Communications Division cannot be
contacted, the user shall attempt to make
contact with other departmental satellite
telephone users to establish links of
communications for operational purposes.

2. In the event that contacts cannot be made
through the use of the satellite telephone
system, the department’s disaster response
plan shall be implemented in accordance with
element procedures and Policy 4.40, CIVIL
DEFENSE DISASTER MITIGATION, PREPARATION,
RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY.

C. All users shall document their satellite telephone use.

1. Documentation shall include the user’s name,
the start date and time, and the end date and
time of the satellite telephone use.

2. This information shall be forwarded to the MED for fiscal processing.
SATELLITE TELEPHONE TESTING

A. The Communications Division shall be
responsible for conducting tests of the
department’s satellite telephone system.

B. The satellite telephone system shall
be tested at least once a month on a date
and time determined by the Communications Division.

C. The Communications Division shall maintain
a log of each test and report any discrepancies
to the MED for corrective action.
TRAINING

A. Satellite telephone users shall receive
training on the proper use and maintenance
of the satellite telephone.

B. Elements assigned portable satellite
telephones shall ensure that a sufficient
number of their personnel are trained on
the proper use and maintenance of the telephone.
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF SATELLITE TELEPHONES

The unauthorized use of departmental satellite
telephones may result in disciplinary action
and reimbursement of costs incurred.