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Airwave, Sussex Police
First Floor, Lewes Block
Malling House
Church Lane
Lewes
East Sussex, BN7 2DZ
Date 22nd March, 2004
Dear Mr Davidson
Thank you for your letter of 8th March 2004 to the Chief Constable. As Project Manager for the Airwave system for Sussex Police, he has appropriately asked me to reply to you. Your letter challenges a range of issues concerning the Airwave Service and in particular seeks confirmation of ‘the appropriateness of Airwave in meeting your requirements’. I welcome the opportunity to expain our position and confirm our complete confidence in the new communications service.
I am pleased to hear that you recognise that a modern, reliable and effective communication system will enable the police service to perform effectively. I am confident that “Airwave” is that system, and will deliver benefits that will not only assist in catching more criminals, but also increase public safety. It is most encouraging that reports from existing users support this belief.
Your view that Sussex Police personnel know little about the TETRA technology may hold some basis in fact, but information about the Project is made available to them all through the force intranet and includes ample references on the question of Health and Safety for those personnel who are concerned. More than half of the forces in the country have already implemented this system, and their reports of the overwhelming success of “Airwave” present the strongest possible recommendation to many of our staff who struggle with the current inefficient and often unsatisfactory force radio communications. Both the Police Federation and Unison representatives are in full support of the service.
Physicists and radio experts advise that all radio transmissions have the potential to interfere with other frequencies in the spectrum and this characteristic is by no means restricted to TETRA transmisions. However exhaustive studies of this potential risk have been conducted in relation to other police equipment and working practice recommendations include the use of the ‘transmit inhibit’ function on TETRA radios, have been made to overcome any practical difficulties. Similar advice applies to existing analogue radio equipment.
The health concerns of residents of Worthing are not to be dismissed and these are no doubt fuelled by press, internet and other media coverage. The full benefit of the Airwave service has yet to be realized and we are optimistic that much of the misinformation and rhetoric will abate as communities begin to recognise that claims of adverse health affects [sic] attributed to TETRA are without foundation.
Your concern at the potential adverse health affects [sic] of hand portable equipment is not shared by the police community who use radios very differently to mobile phones. The police handportable is generally carried on the chest or waist and coupled to an earpiece or using a loudspeaker instead of being held to the ear with the antenna close to the head. The advice is that this further reduces any potential health risk to the user and is well within the recommended guidelines for personal safety.
The Sussex Police Authority and Sussex Police are bound by a national contract that will for the first time provide a common, voice and data, communications network for all police forces and essential emergency services. TETRA has demonstrated that it is the preferred solution for a range of public safety users and police globally. The technology is experiencing a rapid growth in public utilities including airports, train and metro systems, bus operators and similar organisations worldwide. The value of an effective communications system shared by the emergency services could not be more apparent than in these challenging times.
Our members are keen to implement the Airwave Service and realise the benefits that a secure and function rich communications system will bring. It will improve officer safety, increase efficiency and enhance our service to the public. I hope that this explanation will go some way to asuage your concerns and hopefully restore your confidence in the Airwave system.
I thank you for taking the trouble to write and express your concerns, and acknowledge your desire to inform the public debate through your website. In that spirit I would invite you to publish this letter in response in order to provide as balanced a view as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Ross Hollister
Superintendent
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