Can you use cell phones on duty?

[AWOF]

My wife's friend recently quit her job to start training to be an officer. (a lifelong dream of hers). So my wife and I had a discussion if she could call when Naomi is eventually put on duty. Not for chit chat, but in case something happened to her father (very sick right now). I assumed that officers don't carry personal phones but my wife disagrees ... is this true? How do you handle personal emergencies on duty?

[Safety Steve]

Yes, I can. It is used for LE purposes also while I'm working.



Be Safe.

[Citicop]

Every cop I work with has a cell phone that they carry and use while on duty.

She will need to take care to use discretion about when and where to take personal calls, but it should be fine.

[JeffW]

Our officers are allowed to use personal cell phones. we only ask that when someone needs to contact them, that the person text them to call when they can. This way they are not distracted while on a call or while driving.

[marinepilot]

I actually carry two cell phones. One is personal and the other is one that I use only for work. The work one is not issued, I bought it and pay the bill, but that way I can tax deduct it and if my records are ever subpoenaed, all they will get is work numbers I've called. I use that phone to call in my reports, to call witnesses or victims, sometimes even suspects. It's also a NEXTEL so I can use the beep-beep with the other deputies around when we don't feel like chatting on the recorded radiowaves.

My personal cell I use for almost everything else. My calendar, contacts, having my family call me, texting friends. If someone calls or texts and I can't answer, they usually know I'm busy and I'll return their call / text later.

[retdetsgt]

We can use our department cell phones for reasonable family emergencies, but not for personal calls per se. But calling the person because of her father's health problem would be acceptable. Even an unexpected babysitting problem is fine, but they frown on using it on situations that can wait.

Every department has its own policies. Your wife's friend will have to find out what her agency's is.

[fatboyjim154]

Yes, I can. It is used for LE purposes also while I'm working.

Be Safe.

I use mine too. Soemtimes a life line when the comms are poor or down.

[greg72982]

We don't have any policy on it. That said I am not a talker, I am more of a texter, but that gets annoying because I have to keep pulling over to send it. It's not illegal here (yet) but I don't text and drive.

[icu650]

My squad used cell phones all the time. Many people have scanners. A lot of investigations are confidential. There are times that special radios, that can not be intercepted, are not available. Cell phones are then used.
Plus- There are many times a cop gets stuck on overtime. He could be stuck at an accident scene or any other type investigation where a public phone (if you can find one) is not available.
You need to call your wife and let her know you are going to be late. Somebody else has to pick up the kids.

[kazz]

I've got an issued one so if the wife or kids need me, they ring/text me. If I'm busy they know I'll ring them back when I can. Every one in my unit has a personal one, one bloke likes to text too much when working with a few of the other boys, but that's a supervision issue for me the deal with.

Back in the dark old pre-cell phone days the wife would ring our communications office and they would pass on a message to ring home. In those situations, it was more life/death . . .now with cell phones, it's "can you get some milk on your way home"

=]

[QldCop]

We only have our own personal phones... We give comms our number when we book on at the start of our shift.
Come tax time we just make a claim on all calls made the are work related.
We have crappy reception with our radios in certain areas, so the mobile comes in handy a lot!!