SOP_NUMBER: 505.01
TITLE: Communications Center Policy Statement
REFERENCE_CODE: IVF01-0005
DIVISION: Facilities Division
TOPIC_AREA: 203 Policy-Facilities Reporting/Operations
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2023-09-20
WORD_COUNT: 496
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106009
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/505.01/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes a 24-hour Communications Center that serves as the central hub for all telecommunications transmissions involving GDC facilities, offices, properties, mobile units, and duty officers. The Communications Center coordinates services with law enforcement agencies and other entities conducting business with GDC, maintains computerized databases for handling specific situations, provides backup during power or equipment failures, and implements emergency procedures in response to serious incidents.

KEY_TOPICS: Communications Center, 24-hour operations, telecommunications, emergency operations, incident reporting, dispatch, facilities coordination, backup systems, Georgia Crime Information Center, emergency communications

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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Communications Center Policy Statement|**Policy Name:**Communications Center Policy Statement|**Policy Name:**Communications Center Policy Statement|
|**Policy Number:** 505.01|**Effective Date:** 9/20/2023|**Page Number:** 1 of 2|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Communications Center)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**

As directed by the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC),
there will be a 24-hour Communications Center. The Communications Center
provides a focal point for telecommunications transmissions to and from all facilities,
offices, properties, mobile units, and duty officers under the jurisdiction of GDC; all
law enforcement agencies doing business with GDC and other telecommunication
transmissions pertinent to the business of the Georgia Department of Corrections.

**II.** **Authority:**

A. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 125-1-1-.01, 125-2-1-.01 (d), 125-3-1-.07, 125-2-4-.20,

125-4-4-.10 and 125-4-4-11.

B. GDC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): 203.02 Document Flow, 203.03

Incident Reporting, 203.04 Notification/Clearance of Escape, 216.01 Control
Panel Operations, and 225.02 Emergency Plans.

C. GDC Emergency Operations Manual.

D. Communications Center Procedures Manual.

E. ACA Standards: 5-ACI-3A-02, 4-ALDF-2A-01 and 1-CTA-3C-04.


**III.** **Definitions:** None.

**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**

As directed by the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections, there will
be a 24-hour Communications Center. The Communications Center provides a focal
point for telecommunications transmissions to and from all facilities, offices,
properties, mobile units, and duty officers under the GDC’s jurisdiction, all law
enforcement agencies doing business with GDC, and other telecommunication
transmissions pertinent to the business of the Georgia Department of Corrections.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Communications Center Policy Statement|**Policy Name:**Communications Center Policy Statement|**Policy Name:**Communications Center Policy Statement|
|**Policy Number:** 505.01|**Effective Date:** 9/20/2023|**Page Number:** 2 of 2|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Communications Center)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



A. Agency staff shall establish a 24-hour Communications Center to coordinate

services via the Georgia Crime Information Center network, non-business hours
coordination between GDC/County facilities, offices, properties, mobile units, and
assigned duty officers and other telecommunication needs as identified.

B. Standard Operating Procedures for the operation of the unit will be established.

C. Guidelines and plans of action for handling specific situations will be maintained

in a computerized database for ease of access.

D. The centralized Communications Center will provide necessary back-up to GDC

facilities in the event of power or equipment failure to ensure accessibility for
emergency and administrative needs.

E. The Communications Center will provide whatever communication and recording

needs are identified by the Commissioner during procedures established for
carrying out the orders of the Court in death sentences.

F. In accordance with the GDC Emergency Operations Manual, upon notification of

any Serious Incident Report, the Communications Center will follow procedures
as prescribed in the Communications Center Procedures Manual and begin hasty
emergency operations.

**V.** **Attachments:** None.

**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:** None.