Police stuck with inferior radios

By SCOTT INGLIS and NZPA

Efforts to develop a secure digital radio network for police have failed, leaving officers with technology their union says is little more than a public address system.

Police had asked Tait Communications to help develop a prototype digital system for Auckland that criminals and others using scanners would not be able to listen to.

But the deal, which has cost police $2.4 million over two years, collapsed yesterday because the technology was not secure enough and was plagued with voice delays and noise.

But there may be a silver lining for police. Savings from the scuttled radio project could be used for general police spending.

It is understood a top-up of several millions will be considered by the cabinet, probably on February 26, after police told Police Minister George Hawkins they were facing another budget crisis.

It was reported yesterday that the cabinet will be asked to approve an extra $15 million, about $10 million less than the relief package the Government approved last year when police also reported a cash shortfall.

Mr Hawkins' office said the minister was not prepared to comment before any cabinet discussions. He would not confirm that a top-up was being considered.

The digital project failure, which follows the Incis computer debacle, has left frontline police and their union frustrated that sophisticated criminals and gangs could continue monitoring police frequencies.

The head of police operations, Assistant Commissioner Paul Fitzharris, yesterday admitted that police management was also disappointed, but would press on with finding someone else who could deliver an acceptable digital system.

The saga started when police tried to get digital technology for Apec in 1999 but could not get it in time.

Tait provided them with a slightly more secure, alternative analogue system and asked an overseas company to develop a proper digital system, called Terrestrial Trunked Radio, or Tetra, ultimately to become a national network.

Tait chief executive Warren Rickard said Tetra was technology that promised a lot, particularly for emergency services. But the reality is that it is taking far longer than anyone envisaged for the performance to match the promise."

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the cancellation of the deal was a major blow to police communications security, especially since cellphone restrictions had been placed on police.

"The police have been hanging out ... It's damned annoying, especially with the cellphones," he said.

"With the loss of cellphones, the police radio system is like a PA system."

Mr O'Connor said criminals and others listened in to the police radio, noting names, registrations and details.

Digital was the only way to beat them, he said.

"If it's a more secure analogue you can guarantee the crims will get better gear, different scanners.

"The crims are out there - they spend all day trying to learn better ways to listen to our radio."

One frontline officer told the Herald that officers were careful about what they said over the radio, but he admitted that police were at a disadvantage if armed robbers making a getaway listened in and knew where roadblocks were.