SIA CP Communications & Radio Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct way to transmit a vehicle registration in a CP radio message?
- Using the NATO phonetic alphabet and numbers, e.g. 'Alpha Bravo 1 2 Charlie Delta' (Correct answer)
- Spelling each letter individually without a phonetic system
- Texting the details to the team leader
- Transmitting only the colour and make of vehicle
Correct answer: Using the NATO phonetic alphabet and numbers, e.g. 'Alpha Bravo 1 2 Charlie Delta'
Using the NATO phonetic alphabet ensures each letter is clearly understood even over poor radio signal; this is especially important for vehicle registrations used to identify a surveillance or threat vehicle.
Question 2: What does 'wilco' mean in radio communications?
- Will comply — the instruction has been received and will be followed (Correct answer)
- Message received and understood
- Wait, I will contact you
- Message not received
Correct answer: Will comply — the instruction has been received and will be followed
'Wilco' (will comply) indicates that the recipient has received the instruction and will carry it out; it goes further than 'roger', which only confirms receipt and understanding.
Question 3: Why should a CPO avoid using names on an open (unencrypted) radio channel?
- Names could identify the principal or team members to hostile parties monitoring the channel (Correct answer)
- Names are too long for efficient radio transmission
- Names are prohibited by Ofcom radio regulations
- SIA guidelines prohibit name use on radio
Correct answer: Names could identify the principal or team members to hostile parties monitoring the channel
Using names on an open channel reveals the identity of the principal and team members to anyone monitoring the frequency, potentially enabling a hostile party to identify and target them.
Question 4: What is a 'com check' and how often should it be conducted in a dynamic CP operation?
- Regular radio check-ins from each team member to confirm they are safe and communications are working; frequency depends on risk level (Correct answer)
- Once at the start of the shift only
- Only when a team member has been out of radio contact
- Hourly, regardless of operational tempo
Correct answer: Regular radio check-ins from each team member to confirm they are safe and communications are working; frequency depends on risk level
Regular com checks confirm team member safety and communications integrity; in higher-threat or dynamic operations, checks may be continuous; in lower-threat environments, periodic checks are appropriate.
Question 5: What is the significance of a 'missed com check' in a CP operation?
- It indicates a potential problem — the team member may be in danger, incapacitated or have a communications failure — requiring immediate investigation (Correct answer)
- It can be ignored if the operative returns within 5 minutes
- It is only significant if the principal is present
- It requires the team leader to file a report with the SIA
Correct answer: It indicates a potential problem — the team member may be in danger, incapacitated or have a communications failure — requiring immediate investigation
A missed check-in is an immediate operational concern; the team leader must attempt contact via all available means and, if unsuccessful, assume the operative may be in danger and respond accordingly.
Question 6: What information should a brief radio transmission during a live threat include?
- Location, nature of threat, action being taken and resources required (Correct answer)
- Only the location
- A full description of all events in chronological order
- A request for authorisation to act
Correct answer: Location, nature of threat, action being taken and resources required
In a live threat transmission, brevity is critical; the key information is where the team is, what is happening, what they are doing and what support is needed — everything else can wait.
SIA CP Communications & Radio Procedures 3
What is the correct way to transmit a vehicle registration in a CP radio message?