Do law enforcement officers have to use APCO phonetic alphabet, or can they use the NATO phonetice alphabet?

Question

Are they interchangeable or must they use the APCO one?

Answer 1

Ordinarily police use the APCO alphabet, but since a lot of police officers are ex-military they are used to the NATO alphabet and use it. I know of nowhere that this is a strict rule and either is fine. The purpose of the phonetic alphabet is to keep the listener from confusing letters that sound alike, like B, T, E, V, etc., so the use of a word associated with that letter is used instead (B-Bravo or Boy). So as long as it is understood what letter is being communicated, it's not really important which one is used.

Answer 2

No, they simply use the phonetic alphabet to the two spell words out that are puzzling or want clarification, or to apply as area of an acronym - like T-seventy two may be a Tango-seven-2, or a decision-sign, like 4-Whiskey-One.

Answer 3

I worked for a sheriff that would just make up his own code ( A- apple, B - bomb ect,ect) but he was the sheriff!

Answer 4

Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kelo if i know,

nah, i somtimes mix the two up, i haven't been yelled at yet. as long as dispatch can understand you, your ok

Answer 5

Most departments/agencies have policies that dictate which, if any, to use.

Answer 6

Whatever is understood, is acceptable.