While civilians who monitor police communications are, for the most part, hobbyists, criminals can also listen in on dispatches concerning routine patrols, drug raids, and warrant services. Police agencies err when they believe that using multiple channels will secure their communications, that codes are undecipherable, and that 800 MHz systems cannot be scanned. Some precautions officers would do well to adopt include sticking to the necessities in their radio communications, avoiding details that can be communicated later, using typed messages or face-to-face meetings, avoiding officer names and unique call signs, refraining from location disclosure during undercover operations, coordinating special operations during briefings, using low-power communications and out-of-band frequencies, and avoiding using cellular phones for sensitive conversations. 2 notes