First VKG to close

[JimK]

and from their Union, more to close in 2010.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news

Police Radio Communications Changes
Monday, 17 Nov 2008 02:06pm

The NSW Police Force is to rationalise the police radio network by closing
one of the six communication centres it operates across the state.

The Police Communications Centre in Morgan St, Wagga Wagga will shut next
year, and its operations transferred to the Sydney Communications Centre in
Surry Hills.

Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites, head of the Operational Communications
and Information Command, said it was a decision driven by evolving
technology and improved efficiencies.

"New South Wales is a world leader in police radio communications and we can
do what we do today with five centres instead of six," Assistant
Commissioner Bob Waites said.

"Moving communications to the Sydney VKG centre allows police to direct
communications across the five remaining centres as workloads dictate. It
also provides a greater level of back-up for operators around the clock.

"I want to assure the people of Wagga Wagga and southern New South Wales
that police will continue to respond to all calls for assistance.

"This decision does not affect the number of police attached to the Wagga
Wagga Local Area Command and there will be no changes in the way they do
their job."

The Wagga Wagga facility will close by June 2009. Twenty-three positions
will be relocated to Sydney, with staff offered the option to move there or
to other Communication Centres.

Nine police positions will be freed up to become available for front line
roles while 43 people will be offered voluntary redundancy.

Assistant Commissioner Waites said staff were informed this morning.

"There are very good people in the Wagga Wagga centre and it's not an easy
decision to make that might see some of them out of a job. They need to know
we are there to support them and we'll do our upmost to ensure they get the
right advice to decide what option best suits them," Assistant Commissioner
Waites said.

Assistant Commissioner Waites said police communications are regularly
switched from centre to centre and the Wagga Wagga channels had been run out
of other centres on previous occasions.

"The training and databases we provide to police communication operators
give them the skill and knowledge to know local landmarks right across the
state.

"It was an improvement in technology that led to the creation of the Wagga
Wagga facility 10 years ago. This is about further improvements, including
technical advancements, which will allow for the introduction of Mobile Data
terminals in first response police cars by July 2009 across almost all of
NSW, providing officers with further options to seek crucial information
when they need it quickly."

Assistant Commissioner Waites said no decision had been taken to make
further changes at the five other VKG sites of Tamworth, Warilla, Penrith,
Newcastle and Sydney

A team of Radio Network technicians will remain based in Wagga Wagga to
service equipment and towers.

[Jeßus]

Post by JimK
and from their Union, more to close in 2010.
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news
Police Radio Communications Changes
Monday, 17 Nov 2008 02:06pm
The NSW Police Force is to rationalise the police radio network by
closing one of the six communication centres it operates across the
state.
The Police Communications Centre in Morgan St, Wagga Wagga will shut
next year, and its operations transferred to the Sydney Communications
Centre in Surry Hills.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites, head of the Operational
Communications and Information Command, said it was a decision driven by
evolving technology and improved efficiencies.
"New South Wales is a world leader in police radio communications and we
can do what we do today with five centres instead of six," Assistant
Commissioner Bob Waites said.
"Moving communications to the Sydney VKG centre allows police to direct
communications across the five remaining centres as workloads dictate.
It also provides a greater level of back-up for operators around the
clock.
"I want to assure the people of Wagga Wagga and southern New South Wales
that police will continue to respond to all calls for assistance.
"This decision does not affect the number of police attached to the
Wagga Wagga Local Area Command and there will be no changes in the way
they do their job."
The Wagga Wagga facility will close by June 2009. Twenty-three positions
will be relocated to Sydney, with staff offered the option to move there
or to other Communication Centres.
Nine police positions will be freed up to become available for front
line roles while 43 people will be offered voluntary redundancy.
Assistant Commissioner Waites said staff were informed this morning.
"There are very good people in the Wagga Wagga centre and it's not an
easy decision to make that might see some of them out of a job. They
need to know we are there to support them and we'll do our upmost to
ensure they get the right advice to decide what option best suits them,"
Assistant Commissioner Waites said.
Assistant Commissioner Waites said police communications are regularly
switched from centre to centre and the Wagga Wagga channels had been run
out of other centres on previous occasions.
"The training and databases we provide to police communication operators
give them the skill and knowledge to know local landmarks right across
the state.
"It was an improvement in technology that led to the creation of the
Wagga Wagga facility 10 years ago. This is about further improvements,
including technical advancements, which will allow for the introduction
of Mobile Data terminals in first response police cars by July 2009
across almost all of NSW, providing officers with further options to
seek crucial information when they need it quickly."
Assistant Commissioner Waites said no decision had been taken to make
further changes at the five other VKG sites of Tamworth, Warilla,
Penrith, Newcastle and Sydney
A team of Radio Network technicians will remain based in Wagga Wagga to
service equipment and towers.

Ah yes - nothing like putting all your eggs into one basket.
Especially if those eggs are critically important.
It'll be the unforeseen problem that'll cause chaos... sooner or later.

[Andrew Kenna]

I thought the main reason why they had VKG's in such geographically sparse
locations was for redundancy but obviously I mis-understood...

Andrew

Post by Jeßus

Post by JimK
and from their Union, more to close in 2010.
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news
Police Radio Communications Changes
Monday, 17 Nov 2008 02:06pm
The NSW Police Force is to rationalise the police radio network by
closing one of the six communication centres it operates across the
state.
The Police Communications Centre in Morgan St, Wagga Wagga will shut
next year, and its operations transferred to the Sydney Communications
Centre in Surry Hills.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites, head of the Operational
Communications and Information Command, said it was a decision driven by
evolving technology and improved efficiencies.
"New South Wales is a world leader in police radio communications and we
can do what we do today with five centres instead of six," Assistant
Commissioner Bob Waites said.
"Moving communications to the Sydney VKG centre allows police to direct
communications across the five remaining centres as workloads dictate.
It also provides a greater level of back-up for operators around the
clock.
"I want to assure the people of Wagga Wagga and southern New South Wales
that police will continue to respond to all calls for assistance.
"This decision does not affect the number of police attached to the
Wagga Wagga Local Area Command and there will be no changes in the way
they do their job."
The Wagga Wagga facility will close by June 2009. Twenty-three positions
will be relocated to Sydney, with staff offered the option to move there
or to other Communication Centres.
Nine police positions will be freed up to become available for front
line roles while 43 people will be offered voluntary redundancy.
Assistant Commissioner Waites said staff were informed this morning.
"There are very good people in the Wagga Wagga centre and it's not an
easy decision to make that might see some of them out of a job. They
need to know we are there to support them and we'll do our upmost to
ensure they get the right advice to decide what option best suits them,"
Assistant Commissioner Waites said.
Assistant Commissioner Waites said police communications are regularly
switched from centre to centre and the Wagga Wagga channels had been run
out of other centres on previous occasions.
"The training and databases we provide to police communication operators
give them the skill and knowledge to know local landmarks right across
the state.
"It was an improvement in technology that led to the creation of the
Wagga Wagga facility 10 years ago. This is about further improvements,
including technical advancements, which will allow for the introduction
of Mobile Data terminals in first response police cars by July 2009
across almost all of NSW, providing officers with further options to
seek crucial information when they need it quickly."
Assistant Commissioner Waites said no decision had been taken to make
further changes at the five other VKG sites of Tamworth, Warilla,
Penrith, Newcastle and Sydney
A team of Radio Network technicians will remain based in Wagga Wagga to
service equipment and towers.

Ah yes - nothing like putting all your eggs into one basket.
Especially if those eggs are critically important.
It'll be the unforeseen problem that'll cause chaos... sooner or later.

[JimK]

I would say there will be only 2 or 3 left in the end, and they wont be the
current ones either...

Post by Andrew Kenna
I thought the main reason why they had VKG's in such geographically sparse
locations was for redundancy but obviously I mis-understood...
Andrew

Post by Jeßus

Post by JimK
and from their Union, more to close in 2010.
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news
Police Radio Communications Changes
Monday, 17 Nov 2008 02:06pm
The NSW Police Force is to rationalise the police radio network by
closing one of the six communication centres it operates across the
state.
The Police Communications Centre in Morgan St, Wagga Wagga will shut
next year, and its operations transferred to the Sydney Communications
Centre in Surry Hills.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites, head of the Operational
Communications and Information Command, said it was a decision driven by
evolving technology and improved efficiencies.
"New South Wales is a world leader in police radio communications and we
can do what we do today with five centres instead of six," Assistant
Commissioner Bob Waites said.
"Moving communications to the Sydney VKG centre allows police to direct
communications across the five remaining centres as workloads dictate.
It also provides a greater level of back-up for operators around the
clock.
"I want to assure the people of Wagga Wagga and southern New South Wales
that police will continue to respond to all calls for assistance.
"This decision does not affect the number of police attached to the
Wagga Wagga Local Area Command and there will be no changes in the way
they do their job."
The Wagga Wagga facility will close by June 2009. Twenty-three positions
will be relocated to Sydney, with staff offered the option to move there
or to other Communication Centres.
Nine police positions will be freed up to become available for front
line roles while 43 people will be offered voluntary redundancy.
Assistant Commissioner Waites said staff were informed this morning.
"There are very good people in the Wagga Wagga centre and it's not an
easy decision to make that might see some of them out of a job. They
need to know we are there to support them and we'll do our upmost to
ensure they get the right advice to decide what option best suits them,"
Assistant Commissioner Waites said.
Assistant Commissioner Waites said police communications are regularly
switched from centre to centre and the Wagga Wagga channels had been run
out of other centres on previous occasions.
"The training and databases we provide to police communication operators
give them the skill and knowledge to know local landmarks right across
the state.
"It was an improvement in technology that led to the creation of the
Wagga Wagga facility 10 years ago. This is about further improvements,
including technical advancements, which will allow for the introduction
of Mobile Data terminals in first response police cars by July 2009
across almost all of NSW, providing officers with further options to
seek crucial information when they need it quickly."
Assistant Commissioner Waites said no decision had been taken to make
further changes at the five other VKG sites of Tamworth, Warilla,
Penrith, Newcastle and Sydney
A team of Radio Network technicians will remain based in Wagga Wagga to
service equipment and towers.

Ah yes - nothing like putting all your eggs into one basket.
Especially if those eggs are critically important.
It'll be the unforeseen problem that'll cause chaos... sooner or later.

[MoiInAust]

Post by Jeßus

Post by JimK
and from their Union, more to close in 2010.
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news
Police Radio Communications Changes
Monday, 17 Nov 2008 02:06pm
The NSW Police Force is to rationalise the police radio network by
closing one of the six communication centres it operates across the
state.
The Police Communications Centre in Morgan St, Wagga Wagga will shut
next year, and its operations transferred to the Sydney Communications
Centre in Surry Hills.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites, head of the Operational
Communications and Information Command, said it was a decision driven by
evolving technology and improved efficiencies.
"New South Wales is a world leader in police radio communications and we
can do what we do today with five centres instead of six," Assistant
Commissioner Bob Waites said.
"Moving communications to the Sydney VKG centre allows police to direct
communications across the five remaining centres as workloads dictate.
It also provides a greater level of back-up for operators around the
clock.
"I want to assure the people of Wagga Wagga and southern New South Wales
that police will continue to respond to all calls for assistance.
"This decision does not affect the number of police attached to the
Wagga Wagga Local Area Command and there will be no changes in the way
they do their job."
The Wagga Wagga facility will close by June 2009. Twenty-three positions
will be relocated to Sydney, with staff offered the option to move there
or to other Communication Centres.
Nine police positions will be freed up to become available for front
line roles while 43 people will be offered voluntary redundancy.
Assistant Commissioner Waites said staff were informed this morning.
"There are very good people in the Wagga Wagga centre and it's not an
easy decision to make that might see some of them out of a job. They
need to know we are there to support them and we'll do our upmost to
ensure they get the right advice to decide what option best suits them,"
Assistant Commissioner Waites said.
Assistant Commissioner Waites said police communications are regularly
switched from centre to centre and the Wagga Wagga channels had been run
out of other centres on previous occasions.
"The training and databases we provide to police communication operators
give them the skill and knowledge to know local landmarks right across
the state.
"It was an improvement in technology that led to the creation of the
Wagga Wagga facility 10 years ago. This is about further improvements,
including technical advancements, which will allow for the introduction
of Mobile Data terminals in first response police cars by July 2009
across almost all of NSW, providing officers with further options to
seek crucial information when they need it quickly."
Assistant Commissioner Waites said no decision had been taken to make
further changes at the five other VKG sites of Tamworth, Warilla,
Penrith, Newcastle and Sydney
A team of Radio Network technicians will remain based in Wagga Wagga to
service equipment and towers.

Ah yes - nothing like putting all your eggs into one basket.
Especially if those eggs are critically important.
It'll be the unforeseen problem that'll cause chaos... sooner or later.

I believe there are undocumented backup sites.

[Bass Junkie]

Post by JimK
"It was an improvement in technology that led to the creation of the Wagga
Wagga facility 10 years ago. This is about further improvements, including
technical advancements, which will allow for the introduction of Mobile Data
terminals in first response police cars by July 2009 across almost all of
NSW, providing officers with further options to seek crucial information
when they need it quickly."

First I've heard about the MDTs. Will they be replacing voice comms
for job delegation etc? Anyone have any more info on protocols or
possible uses?

[JimK]

Post by Bass Junkie

Post by JimK
"It was an improvement in technology that led to the creation of the Wagga
Wagga facility 10 years ago. This is about further improvements, including
technical advancements, which will allow for the introduction of Mobile Data
terminals in first response police cars by July 2009 across almost all of
NSW, providing officers with further options to seek crucial information
when they need it quickly."

First I've heard about the MDTs. Will they be replacing voice comms
for job delegation etc?

I would say so... NSWPF uses Vision, (same as NSWFB) which is designed for
that purpose including AVLS which allows the system to nominate the nearest
resource.

Post by Bass Junkie
Anyone have any more info on protocols or
possible uses?

Believe to be Next G, or 3G or whatever that protocol is and the use is for
dispatching jobs!

[Andrew Kenna]

I must then ask the 1 million dollar question, why did they go and spend all
that money on encrypting the general duties channels if their plan is to
phase in the mdt's for job dispatching ?

Post by JimK

Post by Bass Junkie

Post by JimK
"It was an improvement in technology that led to the creation of the Wagga
Wagga facility 10 years ago. This is about further improvements, including
technical advancements, which will allow for the introduction of Mobile Data
terminals in first response police cars by July 2009 across almost all of
NSW, providing officers with further options to seek crucial information
when they need it quickly."

First I've heard about the MDTs. Will they be replacing voice comms
for job delegation etc?

I would say so... NSWPF uses Vision, (same as NSWFB) which is designed for
that purpose including AVLS which allows the system to nominate the
nearest resource.

Post by Bass Junkie
Anyone have any more info on protocols or
possible uses?

Believe to be Next G, or 3G or whatever that protocol is and the use is
for dispatching jobs!

[Frank Calabrese]

Post by Andrew Kenna
I must then ask the 1 million dollar question, why did they go and spend all
that money on encrypting the general duties channels if their plan is to
phase in the mdt's for job dispatching ?

In WA, that's how the Digital system works, jobs dispatched via MDT
along with name checks etc, voice encrypted - except for the Red Bull
race whjere they actually ran P25 unencrypted on the old analogue Ch
63.

Here is a small sample (not my video, but I alerted the poster of the
transmission).

Frank

[JimK]

Post by Andrew Kenna
I must then ask the 1 million dollar question, why did they go and spend
all that money on encrypting the general duties channels if their plan is
to phase in the mdt's for job dispatching ?

and why is there no plan to encrypt country NSW?
Why is the information more important to encrypt Greater Sydney or is less
secrets in the bush?!

[Kev]

Post by JimK

Post by Andrew Kenna
I must then ask the 1 million dollar question, why did they go and spend
all that money on encrypting the general duties channels if their plan is
to phase in the mdt's for job dispatching ?

and why is there no plan to encrypt country NSW?
Why is the information more important to encrypt Greater Sydney or is less
secrets in the bush?!

there is
but it will take time to set up enough UHF repeaters to cover the areas
covered by VHF

they have already got some narrowband UHF repeaters in the Northern
Rivers/Tweed Coast area, more repeaters than they used to have on UHF
give them a few more years to complete it then they should switch over

Though QLD has been going to switch over areas outside Brisbane to
digital for years but it's still analogue

Kev

[JimK]

Post by Kev

Post by JimK

Post by Andrew Kenna
I must then ask the 1 million dollar question, why did they go and spend
all that money on encrypting the general duties channels if their plan
is to phase in the mdt's for job dispatching ?

and why is there no plan to encrypt country NSW?
Why is the information more important to encrypt Greater Sydney or is
less secrets in the bush?!

there is
but it will take time to set up enough UHF repeaters to cover the areas
covered by VHF
they have already got some narrowband UHF repeaters in the Northern
Rivers/Tweed Coast area, more repeaters than they used to have on UHF
give them a few more years to complete it then they should switch over
Though QLD has been going to switch over areas outside Brisbane to digital
for years but it's still analogue
Kev

About 40% of NSW Police is now UHF, All of the Southern Region NSW across to
the SA/VIC/NSW border is now UHF, and is far superior than that VHF.

[Andrew Kenna]

VHF and UHF have their own advantages and disadvantages... Since i'm not
that technically minded i'm not even going to go there but someone else who
knows alot more can probly fill in the gaps.

Post by JimK

Post by Kev

Post by JimK

Post by Andrew Kenna
I must then ask the 1 million dollar question, why did they go and
spend all that money on encrypting the general duties channels if their
plan is to phase in the mdt's for job dispatching ?

and why is there no plan to encrypt country NSW?
Why is the information more important to encrypt Greater Sydney or is
less secrets in the bush?!

there is
but it will take time to set up enough UHF repeaters to cover the areas
covered by VHF
they have already got some narrowband UHF repeaters in the Northern
Rivers/Tweed Coast area, more repeaters than they used to have on UHF
give them a few more years to complete it then they should switch over
Though QLD has been going to switch over areas outside Brisbane to
digital for years but it's still analogue
Kev

About 40% of NSW Police is now UHF, All of the Southern Region NSW across
to the SA/VIC/NSW border is now UHF, and is far superior than that VHF.

[MoiInAust]

(Top posting to please Barry)

The most obvious difference is that VHF works better that UHF in country
conditions, with longer distances and hilly terrain.

UHF works better in close environments and of course the antennas are
smaller and there is more spectrum available.

Post by Andrew Kenna
VHF and UHF have their own advantages and disadvantages... Since i'm not
that technically minded i'm not even going to go there but someone else
who knows alot more can probly fill in the gaps.

Post by JimK

Post by Kev

Post by JimK

Post by Andrew Kenna
I must then ask the 1 million dollar question, why did they go and
spend all that money on encrypting the general duties channels if
their plan is to phase in the mdt's for job dispatching ?

and why is there no plan to encrypt country NSW?
Why is the information more important to encrypt Greater Sydney or is
less secrets in the bush?!

there is
but it will take time to set up enough UHF repeaters to cover the areas
covered by VHF
they have already got some narrowband UHF repeaters in the Northern
Rivers/Tweed Coast area, more repeaters than they used to have on UHF
give them a few more years to complete it then they should switch over
Though QLD has been going to switch over areas outside Brisbane to
digital for years but it's still analogue
Kev

About 40% of NSW Police is now UHF, All of the Southern Region NSW across
to the SA/VIC/NSW border is now UHF, and is far superior than that VHF.

[JimK]

VHF has also lower quality of audio
.
NSWPF have UHF throughout the Southern Highlands and Snowy Mountains and
works superiour over their previous VHF system, but where one area had 5 VHF
bases, they had to replace it with 8 UHF bases.... but they have a lot more
spectrum to play with in UHF

Post by MoiInAust
(Top posting to please Barry)
The most obvious difference is that VHF works better that UHF in country
conditions, with longer distances and hilly terrain.
UHF works better in close environments and of course the antennas are
smaller and there is more spectrum available.

Post by Andrew Kenna
VHF and UHF have their own advantages and disadvantages... Since i'm not
that technically minded i'm not even going to go there but someone else
who knows alot more can probly fill in the gaps.

Post by JimK

Post by Kev

Post by JimK

Post by Andrew Kenna
I must then ask the 1 million dollar question, why did they go and
spend all that money on encrypting the general duties channels if
their plan is to phase in the mdt's for job dispatching ?

and why is there no plan to encrypt country NSW?
Why is the information more important to encrypt Greater Sydney or is
less secrets in the bush?!

there is
but it will take time to set up enough UHF repeaters to cover the areas
covered by VHF
they have already got some narrowband UHF repeaters in the Northern
Rivers/Tweed Coast area, more repeaters than they used to have on UHF
give them a few more years to complete it then they should switch over
Though QLD has been going to switch over areas outside Brisbane to
digital for years but it's still analogue
Kev

About 40% of NSW Police is now UHF, All of the Southern Region NSW
across to the SA/VIC/NSW border is now UHF, and is far superior than
that VHF.

[wazzzzup]

Post by JimK
VHF has also lower quality of audio

What the???? Me thinks you are very confused with that statement.

Post by JimK
NSWPF have UHF throughout the Southern Highlands and Snowy Mountains and
works superiour over their previous VHF system, but where one area had 5
VHF bases, they had to replace it with 8 UHF bases.... but they have a lot
more spectrum to play with in UHF

[MoiInAust]

Post by wazzzzup

Post by JimK
VHF has also lower quality of audio

What the???? Me thinks you are very confused with that statement.

Yes, he must mean a particular system. There is no inherent difference in
quality between UHF and VHF, but some VHF *and* UHF systems have poorer
quality than others.

Post by wazzzzup

Post by JimK
NSWPF have UHF throughout the Southern Highlands and Snowy Mountains and
works superiour over their previous VHF system, but where one area had 5
VHF bases, they had to replace it with 8 UHF bases.... but they have a
lot more spectrum to play with in UHF

[brian w edginton]

Post by MoiInAust

Post by wazzzzup

Post by JimK
VHF has also lower quality of audio

What the???? Me thinks you are very confused with that statement.

Yes, he must mean a particular system. There is no inherent difference in
quality between UHF and VHF, but some VHF *and* UHF systems have poorer
quality than others.

I suspect some receivers might get better audio on one band or the
other, too.

--------------------------

If you want to stand out in the crowd...
check the alleys for escape routes, first

[brian w edginton]

Post by Andrew Kenna
VHF and UHF have their own advantages and disadvantages... Since i'm not
that technically minded i'm not even going to go there but someone else who
knows alot more can probly fill in the gaps.

I think VHF has a greater range....needs fewer repeaters. An advantage
in large rural regions.
But I have been wrong, before....once or twice.

-----------------------------------

If you want to stand out in the crowd...
check the alleys for escape routes, first

[brian w edginton]

Post by JimK

Post by Bass Junkie
First I've heard about the MDTs. Will they be replacing voice comms
for job delegation etc?

I would say so... NSWPF uses Vision, (same as NSWFB) which is designed for
that purpose including AVLS which allows the system to nominate the nearest
resource.

Post by Bass Junkie
Anyone have any more info on protocols or
possible uses?

Believe to be Next G, or 3G or whatever that protocol is and the use is for
dispatching jobs!

As I already posted, they are not for despatching jobs....that has to
be in real time. MDTs are a hazard if used by alpha vehicles while
mobile.
Police don't sit in cars waiting for the next job. They are mobile a
lot more than ambulance or fire vehicles.

Police MDTs are used to do transport and CNI checks and similar.
AFAIK, only the HWP has them at the moment.
Coverage, at least in the bush, is not perfect and even cars fitted
with MDTs often have to do their checks via radio.

------------------------------------

If you want to stand out in the crowd...
check the alleys for escape routes, first

[brian w edginton]

On Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:56:38 -0800 (PST), Bass Junkie

Post by Bass Junkie

Post by JimK
"It was an improvement in technology that led to the creation of the Wagga
Wagga facility 10 years ago. This is about further improvements, including
technical advancements, which will allow for the introduction of Mobile Data
terminals in first response police cars by July 2009 across almost all of
NSW, providing officers with further options to seek crucial information
when they need it quickly."

First I've heard about the MDTs. Will they be replacing voice comms
for job delegation etc? Anyone have any more info on protocols or
possible uses?

Highway cars have had MDTs for a while.
Used to do transport checks.....others, too, I think. CNIs and such.
Not a techie so I can't talk about protocols.

Voice radio is still being used for comms and job despatch....on the N
Coast, anyway.
Guessing it is for officer safety as much as anything.
Otherwise, cars would have to stop at regular intervals to check for
messages or to type them up.


---------------------------------

If you want to stand out in the crowd...
check the alleys for escape routes, first

[brian w edginton]

Post by JimK
and from their Union, more to close in 2010.
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news
Police Radio Communications Changes
Monday, 17 Nov 2008 02:06pm
The NSW Police Force is to rationalise the police radio network by closing
one of the six communication centres it operates across the state.
The Police Communications Centre in Morgan St, Wagga Wagga will shut next
year, and its operations transferred to the Sydney Communications Centre in
Surry Hills.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites, head of the Operational Communications
and Information Command, said it was a decision driven by evolving
technology and improved efficiencies.
"New South Wales is a world leader in police radio communications and we can
do what we do today with five centres instead of six," Assistant
Commissioner Bob Waites said.
"Moving communications to the Sydney VKG centre allows police to direct
communications across the five remaining centres as workloads dictate. It
also provides a greater level of back-up for operators around the clock.
"I want to assure the people of Wagga Wagga and southern New South Wales
that police will continue to respond to all calls for assistance.
"This decision does not affect the number of police attached to the Wagga
Wagga Local Area Command and there will be no changes in the way they do
their job."
The Wagga Wagga facility will close by June 2009. Twenty-three positions
will be relocated to Sydney, with staff offered the option to move there or
to other Communication Centres.
Nine police positions will be freed up to become available for front line
roles while 43 people will be offered voluntary redundancy.
Assistant Commissioner Waites said staff were informed this morning.
"There are very good people in the Wagga Wagga centre and it's not an easy
decision to make that might see some of them out of a job. They need to know
we are there to support them and we'll do our upmost to ensure they get the
right advice to decide what option best suits them," Assistant Commissioner
Waites said.
Assistant Commissioner Waites said police communications are regularly
switched from centre to centre and the Wagga Wagga channels had been run out
of other centres on previous occasions.
"The training and databases we provide to police communication operators
give them the skill and knowledge to know local landmarks right across the
state.
"It was an improvement in technology that led to the creation of the Wagga
Wagga facility 10 years ago. This is about further improvements, including
technical advancements, which will allow for the introduction of Mobile Data
terminals in first response police cars by July 2009 across almost all of
NSW, providing officers with further options to seek crucial information
when they need it quickly."
Assistant Commissioner Waites said no decision had been taken to make
further changes at the five other VKG sites of Tamworth, Warilla, Penrith,
Newcastle and Sydney
A team of Radio Network technicians will remain based in Wagga Wagga to
service equipment and towers.

I heard the rumour weeks ago. Mentioned it on a forum....was told it
wasn't gonna happen.

Now to see if the other part of the rumour was true and Tamworth
closes, too.

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If you want to stand out in the crowd...
check the alleys for escape routes, first