RADIO FOR POLICE

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1934, Page 10

RADIO FOR POLICE

INTRODUCTION EXPECTED. PLAN BEFORE AUTHORITIES. Radio communication for police work is a matter now actively before the New Zealand police authorities, and it is stated that a practicable and inexpensive system for operation in the cities can be brought into use should it be considered necessary. There is reason to expect that an experimental service will be operated in the near future, and it is thought in some quarters that the day is not far distant when radio signals will have become an essential part of the patrol activities. The installation of radio in police motor-cars' has been advocated for some time. The police officials have always recognised the advantage of introducing an accepted and modern service. It has not been through lack of initiative on their part that such centres as Auckland and Wellington have been required to work under the disability of an antiquated system. There is now distinct promise of an improvement. The system of night patrols in Auckland at present is to have the officers in the patrol car communicate with headquarters at half-hourly intervals by telephone. The disadvantages of this , method, should an emergency arise, are obvious. It is understood that the system proposed, which has met with most approval, is to have a broadcasting set at headquarters. The operation of this set would mean that a light of any desired colour would flash on the receiver installed in the police patrol car. A red light appearing on the receiver, for example, could mean that the patrolmen must instantly communicate with headquarters to learn details of a case in which their services were required.

The system could be extended, and the flashing of a green light could mean that the patrolmen must report at any particular station, such as Newton, for instructions. It seems certain that no ordinary broadcast system will come about in New Zealand, in the form of a statement by an announcer. It is desired by the authorities to preserve secrecy regarding police activities, and the mere system of signals would be an effective safeguard. Ordinary announcements can be opposed on a number of grounds, and for the purposes of police work in New Zealand, as far as summoning patrolmen for instructions is concerned, there is no necessity for such a system. Should the service be commenced, there is reason to expect that it will first be tried in Auckland, where the extensive suburban areas provide an admirable field for showing the worth of the plan. The system would no doubt be extended to other places where patrol work is necessary.