Police scanners

The term police scanner is actually a nickname given to a radio scanner. Police scanners are the most effective method of communication and response between emergency service departments. This is how they work.

Police scanners are special receivers that are capable of receiving transmissions. A scanner picks up radio signals that are similar to an FM/AM radio. While an FM/AM radio is only designed to pick up only FM/AM signals, a police scanner can pick up multiple radio bands at once. Radio scanners are called “police scanners” because the majority of the public who own radio scanners, listen to the police radio broadcast.

So it is not just the police that use police scanners. Many family members of law enforcement officers, neighborhood watch groups and public safety organizations also use police scanners for peace of mind, personal safety and community involvement. Police scanners have always been used by news media organizations so they can arrive early on the scene and broadcast the unfolding events to the public as they happen.

A portion of the public use police scanners as preparation for disaster situations. A police scanner can provide key information during a disaster that will enable early preparation and awareness and could prove invaluable in a crisis.