Chapter 4 – Information Technology

47050.4.1 Radio Communications Unit (RCU)

• The Enterprise Information Services (EISEnterprise Information Services (formerly Information Services Division)), Unified Communications, Collaboration & Contraband Interdiction (UCCCI), and RCU are responsible for all departmentally-owned radio communications systems utilized within the department. This includes the responsibility and authority for oversight of the policy and procedures related to the use of radio communications within the department.

  • The RCU is the only authorized group for assigning radio Identification (IDInstitutions Division (see DAI)) numbers and provisioning to subscriber units for usage in the department radio system network.

  • Funding for institution and Division radio program needs shall be directed through the RCU. This does not preclude a Division from purchasing RCU-approved radio equipment to meet its operational needs when the funding is not available through the RCU.

  • The RCU is responsible for review and approval of all public safety radio equipment purchases, including systems, subsystems, and end-user equipment sixty days (60) days prior to Fiscal Year End purchasing for processing same fiscal year.

  • All department radio purchases shall be reviewed and approved by the RCU Enterprise Architect (EA) or designee. The RCU EA or designee reserves the right to disapprove any purchase requests that are not compliant with departmental standards. All procurements shall be compatible with the operational programs and be consistent with current and future initiatives.

  • The RCU is responsible for maintaining and approving radio standards to include radio alias naming conventions, radio layout, feature sets, channel and zone assignments, and scan lists.

  • The RCU is responsible for the development, review and approval of all code plug files for all Divisions, prior to programming and implementation.

  • Departmental program areas shall contact the RCU to arrange for the use of another agency’s radio frequency. Other agencies that wish to use a department-owned frequency shall make such request to the RCU.

  • The RCU is responsible for chairing a multi-discipline “Operable or Interoperable Communications Committee” (the committee) composed of departmental radio communications stakeholders. The purpose of this committee is to address all issues related to emergency and non-emergency communications and the operable or interoperable needs of the department. RCU will schedule a bi-annual meeting of the committee and other meetings, as needed.

  • All service requests for radio equipment must be requested through the department’s web-based automated ITInformation Technology ticketing system and managed by the RCU. RCU will track the service progress and provide periodical status updates to the requestor as repairs are carried out. The RCU will contact and coordinate with California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Public Safety Communications (PSCParole Services Center) Division, as necessary. Once services are complete, if applicable, equipment will be returned to the institution’s Armory Unit via the warehouse staff. Any direct service request to Cal OES, PSCParole Services Center for emergencies outside regular hours must be reported to the RCU immediately. Requests for date/time stamp file reports for a radio(s) shall be submitted to RCU through the department’s web-based automated ITInformation Technology ticketing system. The request shall include a memorandum of approval from the institution’s executive management.

  • If non-functioning equipment cannot be repaired in the field it must be removed from service for repair. The RCU shall determine whether available spare equipment is appropriate for use.

  • All critical system-wide issues with the Trunked radio system shall be routed to the Administrative Officer of the Day (AODAdministrative Officer of the Day) along with a ticket being submitted to RCU using the department’s web-based automated ITInformation Technology ticketing system. The AODAdministrative Officer of the Day will contact the appropriate RCU member who will review and determine the course of action to address the issue and be responsible for its resolution.

  • Requests to remove a radio from the core system shall be submitted to RCU through the department’s web-based automated ITInformation Technology ticketing system for review.