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Mobile Police Communications Squad

 It is essential to accurately ascertain the situations at the scene and to carry out instructions, orders and reports in the event of disasters, accidents, security activities and criminal investigations.
 The Mobile Police Communications Squads are organized into the Regional Police Bureaus (Sub-Bureaus) and the Prefectural (Regional) Info-Communications Departments all across Japan. The duty of the Squads is to secure a police info-communications system at the sites. Specifically, the Squads transmit on-site images to the police headquarters in real time. The Squads also set up and operate temporary communications systems depending on the nature of the case and the situation at the site.

Activities in Disaster and Accident Scenes

 In the event of natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons and heavy rains, or serious accidents involving aircrafts, railways, ships, etc., the Mobile Police Communications Squads are immediately dispatched to the scenes to transmit on-site images and ensure communications measures.

 At the time of the disaster caused by torrential rains in July 2020, the NPA used the helicopter television systems, the mobile digital video transmission systems, the simple satellite communications video transmission systems and the unmanned aircraft (drones) video transmission systems to transmit images of the disaster situations and the activities of the police units to the police headquarters, the NPA, the Prime Minister's Office and other agencies in real time. In addition, the NPA set up temporary communications facilities at the security headquarters located in the police stations in charge of disaster areas. Moreover, the Squads maintained the functions of the police communications facilities in the affected areas by transporting the fuel for emergency generators on foot to the radio relay station located near the mountaintop in order to stabilize the supply of electricity.

Activities Supporting Imperial and Dignitary Protection

 Imperial and dignitary protection and crowd control operations are carried out in line with security operation plans designed in advance. Based on the plans, the Mobile Police Communications Squads secure the means of communications required for the operations and transmit on-site images. Specifically, the Squads use fixed cameras and helicopter television systems to transmit images of the surrounding environment via facilities on the satellite communications vehicles to the security headquarters.
 The Squads construct temporary radio communications networks promptly and accurately in line with a chain of command which expands from the security headquarters to each police unit. The Squads also set up and operate temporary radio relay stations when a service area within the scope of the radio waves requires improvements.

Activities Supporting Criminal Investigations

 In the event of a serious crime such as abduction or a hostage taking, Mobile Police Communications Squads are immediately dispatched to the crime scene. In collaboration with investigators, the Squads ensure the transmission of on-site video and the means of communication necessary for criminal investigation carefully and accurately, taking into consideration of the safety of the hostage.
 Specifically, fixed cameras and video transmission devices are installed to transmit on-site videos as well as operate satellite communications vehicles depending on circumstances.
 These activities support front-line police activities and contribute to arresting suspects and ensuring the safety and security of the public.

Training

 To improve and strengthen response capabilities, the Mobile Police Communications Squads repeatedly and continuously conduct practical training assuming various disasters, accidents, serious cases, etc. in cooperation with the prefectural police.
 Joint training is also held with neighboring prefectural squads and other agencies to cope with inter-prefectural crimes and large-scale disasters.