Goodbye to police scanners

Listening to police scanners is now an activity of the past with Tasmania Police signing off from the old police network for the very last time.

From today, Tasmania Police will work exclusively on the Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN) which offers all eight user organisations with encrypted and secure radio communications.

Minister Felix Ellis said Tasmanian emergency services deserve to have high performing communications equipment to support their safety and the safety of the community.

“We know our police attend private household and community matters which need to be handled sensitively. Now with TasGRN, any risk that these matters may be promoted via police scanner will be avoided,” Minister Ellis said.

“This new radio network is more reliable, more resilient, more secure and replaces five separate systems so Tasmania’s emergency services can communicate with confidence to help keep Tasmanians safe.

“The Rockliff Liberal Government has invested a total $763 million to establish TasGRN, including government business contributions. With TasGRN, Tasmania is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to have all emergency services operating on a single, secure radio network.

“This is the most extensive upgrade to multi-agency emergency radio communications in Tasmania’s history.”

Minister Ellis said the transition to the new network started with Hydro Tasmania, TasNetworks, Parks and Wildlife and Sustainable Timber Tasmania who are now all online. Ambulance, TFS and SES will transition fully across to the network throughout September and October.