IR-01-24-13123
20 May 2024
Steve Hall
[FYI request #26450 email]
Dear Steve,
Information Request
I refer to your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request dated 16 April 2024, in which you
requested:
Some time ago (and maybe stil ) some of the police cars were fitted with 3 roof mounted
antennas. These were al identical in length, and in a triangular layout pattern. I suspect
this was used for direction finding.
Can you please help with the fol owing query?
What was the purpose of these antennas, and if used for direction finding, what did they
track?
Police currently use multiple antenna configurations, due to the different networks utilised
across New Zealand. The number of antennas fitted to a vehicle changes from vehicle to
vehicle depending on the radio configuration, these numbers generally range from 2 to 4.
There is one antenna configuration that is in a triangular shape used for portable radio
retransmitting. This is primarily in rural locations where there are extended lines of
communication. Al roof mounted antennas are used for radio communication systems and
provide no tracking function.
I trust this information satisfies your request.
Yours sincerely
Rosalind Michie
Director Acquisition & Sustainment
New Zealand Police
Police National Headquarters
180 Molesworth Street. PO Box 3017, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
Telephone: 04 474 9499. Fax: 04 498 7400. www.police.govt.nz