Prince George RCMP will be switching to digital from analog radios in March but it probably won't be worth the expense for scanner addicts to upgrade their equipment accordingly.
That's because the detachment's channel will be encrypted, so all you will get for your $450 to $600 outlay is a stream of garble that, as one internet poster put it, "sounds like R2D2 having a seizure."
As much as most people listen in out of simple curiosity, there are some who have more ulterior motives, namely to keep one step ahead of police, and they're the main reason for the change, according to Cpl. Craig Douglass.
"We've executed search warrants at residences and have seen notebooks on the coffee table outlining every officer's call sign, and much of our 10 codes, trying to decipher what's being said," Douglass said.
With the change, Mounties will be able to speak more freely about tactics without the worry that their targets are monitoring their conversations. Plus digital delivers a clearer sound and has a larger reach.
The change will also help with privacy concerns when police must relay names over the air.
"It makes our whole community safer," Douglass said.
RCMP working the Canada Winter Games in February will be the first to use the system and followed by the rest of the detachment during a transition phase in March.
Douglass said the detachment will remain committed to providing the media with as much information as possible "on those matters that involve public safety and security and in emergencies."
However, Twitter won't be an option because RCMP are required to send messages out in both official languages.
As it stands, encrypted digital has been used in the Lower Mainland and Victoria area for years and about 35 per cent of the province's RCMP detachments are on the system.
North District RCMP intends to have all of its detachments switched over by the end of 2017, Cpl. Dave Tyreman said. Like Douglass, he said the intent is to take away an advantage criminals enjoy.
"I can remember years ago, we were involved in a pretty serious pursuit and the guy knew exactly where we were going because he had one of these portable scanners in his vehicle," Tyreman said.
Prince George Fire Rescue is going through an upgrading but is sticking with analog for the time being, according to assistant chief Cliff Warner.
"Digital is not a great medium for fire safety, especially when we get our members wearing breathing apparatus," Warner said.
"When they speak into a digital radio, it digitizes that signal...and when it does that it tends to pixilate and when there is muffled speaking, it makes it difficult to hear it."
That said, Warner said the digital system has improved to the point where PGFR will use a channel on a test basis during training.
B.C. Ambulance Service also still uses analog but only as a backup to other systems. Crews usually receive calls via land line and cellphone and, once on the road, rely on a computer-aided dispatch system.
