Phonetic Alphabet Training for Explorer Program
Rohnert Park Explorer Training Program
Department of Public Safety
Phonetic Alphabet
Purpose of the Phonetic Alphabet
The phonetic alphabet is used by public safety agencies as a substitute for words
or individual letters. Use of the phonetic alphabet aids in the elimination of
confusion, increases clarity, and reduces the chance of error.
Phonetics
Certain letters are easily confused in transmission and must be pronounced with
distinctness and clarity. As a further means of preventing confusion, a standard
phonetic alphabet should be used when necessary.
Generally, the letters L and R can be spoken alone, as they do not sound like
any other letter. The letters A, H, J, and K all have a predominant long “a”. The
biggest group of sound-alike letters are B, C, D, E, G, P, T, V, and Z, with each
having a predominant long “e” sound. Other letters that sound alike are F and S
(and sometimes X); I and Y; M and N; and Q, U, and W.
Only conditions at the time a letter is to be used can dictate whether or not the
phonetic substitute should be used. For example, a field officer may ask for a
warrant check on a subject with the name Wloszczowa. No matter how well the
officer pronounces the name, it would behoove the dispatcher to ask how the
name is spelled. Depending on the officer’s enunciation, and the clarity of the
radio channel, it may be possible for the officer to spell the name letter by letter
(W-L-O-S…..). For increased clarity, and to prevent the chance of mistake, the
officer could spell the name phonetically. The officer could say “The name is
Wloszczowa, phonetically William Lincoln, Ocean, Sam, Zebra Charles Zebra
Ocean William Adam.
In the event it is necessary to give the phonetic substitution for an individual letter
it is advisable to give both the letter and the substitute. For example, when
dispatching an officer to an address on C Street, a dispatcher would broadcast
“C, as in Charles Street.” Emphasizing the “as in” is important to prevent
confusion and having the officer respond to Charles Street. Initials of subjects
should be handled in similar fashion.
Numerals
Pronunciation of numbers is based on a system developed by the Bell Telephone
Company and adopted by public safety radio users. There are certain conditions
in which numbers may be given individually, and other times when small groups
of numbers should be given together. For example, the radio code 10-21 would
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Rohnert Park Explorer Training Program
Department of Public Safety
be pronounced ten-twenty-one. Yet an address of 1021 would be pronounced
one-zero-two-one. For addresses and other longer numbers, the pattern might
be altered for purposes of clarity. A case file of 1234567 would be give as 1-2
(pause) 3-4 (pause) 5-6-7, that is twelve thirty-four five sixty-seven.
Uses for Phonetic Alphabet and Numerals
Street Names
Items that could easily be spelled more than one way
Items that could be easily misspelled
License numbers
Anything with individual letters
Whenever in doubt
Unpronounceable names
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Rohnert Park Explorer Training Program
Department of Public Safety
Phonetic Alphabet
A Adam N Nora
B Boy O Ocean
C Charles P Paul
D David Q Queen
E Edward R Robert
F Frank S Sam
G George T Tom
H Henry U Union
I Ida V Victor
J John W William
K King X X-Ray
L Lincoln Y Yellow
M Mary Z Zebra
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