Special characters don’t belong in AM messages — keep law enforcement communications clear.

Which of the following should NOT be included in AM messages?

• A. Direction of travel
• B. Special characters
• C. Date and time of crime
• D. NCIC abbreviations

Answer: (B)

In the context of AM messages, which typically refer to communication in a law enforcement or emergency response setting, it is essential to convey information clearly and effectively. Special characters can create confusion or misinterpretation in the communication process. For instance, using symbols or characters not recognized by standard communication systems could result in messages not being understood or misinterpreted, which can hinder quick and accurate responses in critical situations. In contrast, including the direction of travel, date and time of the crime, and NCIC abbreviations is important for the clarity and efficiency of communication. The direction of travel gives responders essential information to locate a suspect or vehicle, while the date and time of the crime provide context for the urgency and relevance of the information being transmitted. NCIC abbreviations facilitate communication by using standardized terms that are widely recognized in the law enforcement community, ensuring that messages are understood quickly and accurately.

AM messages aren’t glamorous, but they’re the kind of thing that saves minutes, sometimes lives, in the middle of chaos. When responders race toward a scene, every word matters. The goal is simple: get the right information across quickly and without confusion. That’s where the IDACS world trains us to focus on what to say—and just as important, what not to clutter a message with.

Here’s the thing about a common question you’ll hear in this field: which detail should NOT be included in AM messages? The short answer is: special characters. Yes, the little symbols we often use in everyday chat can become big problems in critical communications. Let me explain why, then we’ll walk through the other elements that do matter.

What AM messages are trying to accomplish

Think of AM messages as a fast, reliable courier for critical information. They’re not the place for long-winded descriptions or clever turns of phrase. They’re a concise, precise thread that connects the first responder to essential context. That means:

• Clarity first, speed second. Information should be instantly readable on a screen or in a radio transmission.

• Standard codes beat free-form shorthand. When everyone recognizes the same abbreviations, messages get understood without delay.

• Relevance rules. If a detail doesn’t move responders toward a location, a decision, or a safety action, it doesn’t belong in the message.

If you’ve ever watched a well-coordinated response unfold, you’ve seen these rules in action: the message starts with the bare minimum needed to locate and identify a target, then adds time-sensitive context, and finally closes with a set of actionable cues.

The non-negotiable elements that do matter

Among the typical components you’ll include in AM messages, three stand out as especially important for speed and accuracy.

1. Direction of travel

Direction of travel gives responders a mental map of where a suspect or vehicle is headed. It’s not decoration; it’s a lane marker. When units know where to point their search, they aren’t chasing shadows. They’re pursuing a line of sight that can be acted on immediately. If the vehicle is seen heading north on Main Street, or the suspect is moving east toward a particular corridor, that directional cue becomes the anchor for patrols, road blocks, or aerial searches. In the heat of the moment, a precise direction can shave precious seconds off the response.

2. Date and time of the crime

This one sounds straightforward, but its impact runs deep. Time stamps contextualize urgency. They help investigators assess alibis, prioritize leads, and synchronize efforts across multiple agencies. A clear date and time lets teams queue resources—crime scene units, forensics, digital trail investigators—exactly when they’re needed. When time is a factor, a precise timestamp isn’t optional; it’s essential.

3. NCIC abbreviations

NCIC abbreviations are the shorthand that keeps a vast, nationwide system readable in a heartbeat. They standardize what otherwise could be a jumble of words and codes. APB (All-Points Bulletin), BOLO (Be On the Lookout), DOB (Date of Birth) are common examples you’ll encounter. Abbreviations reduce ambiguity and keep lines open across radios and terminals. When everyone speaks the same code, comprehension speeds up and misinterpretation drops to near zero.

Why special characters should stay out of AM messages

Now, to the central question: why not use special characters? The answer is practical and safety-driven.

• Systems may misread or strip symbols. Some radio and computer interfaces won’t render unusual characters reliably. A dash, a slash, or an asterisk can morph into something else when it crosses different hardware and software layers. A message that looks clean on one screen might appear garbled on another, leading to confusion at the moment it matters most.

• Symbols invite misinterpretation. If you send a message that includes symbols, there’s a higher chance responders will misread critical details. People parse information quickly; when a symbol stands in for an idea, the meaning can shift under stress.

• Protocols favor simplicity. The folks who design these systems do so with a mindset toward universal readability. The fewer knobs you twist, the less risk there is of something going wrong in transmission or decoding.

So, what should you do instead? Keep to plain text and standard codes. If you need to separate fields, use spaces or compatible separators that your system recognizes. A clean, plain structure reduces the cognitive load on the recipient and keeps the chain of communication intact.

A practical way to think about it

Imagine you’re sending a briefing about a vehicle seen fleeing a scene. A strong AM message would lay out:

• Vehicle color, make/model if known (concise, with fields separated by spaces or a standard delimiter your system accepts).

• Direction of travel (north on Main, then east on 7th, etc.).

• Date and time of the crime (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM, or whatever your agency standard uses).

• Descriptors that rely on NCIC abbreviations (APB, BOLO, DOB, license state, plate if available).

Notice how each piece serves a purpose and can be quickly interpreted by someone listening on the radio or glancing at a monitor. No room for decorative punctuation, no cryptic symbols, just a clean line of action-oriented data.

A small digression that helps ground the idea

People often underestimate how much a single symbol can derail a chain of events. I’ve talked to dispatchers who’ve reminded me that the same basic message can be misread in two different cities simply because one system treats a slash as a command separator and another treats it as plain text. It’s not about being rigid for rigidity’s sake; it’s about predictability. When responders anticipate exactly how information will be delivered, they respond faster and more accurately. That predictability starts with avoiding special characters in AM messages.

Putting the three must-haves into a simple mental model

Here’s a way to remember what to include and what to omit.

• Include: direction of travel, date/time of crime, NCIC abbreviations. These anchor the message in space, time, and recognized terminology.

• Exclude: special characters. Keep symbols out of the message so readability isn’t compromised across devices.

If you like a quick drill, try rewriting a few sample notes using only plain text and standard codes. You’ll feel the difference in how quickly you can scan the lines and extract the key actions.

Real-world rhythm: how this plays out on the ground

In the field, you’ll notice two things that reinforce the approach described above.

First, redundancy matters. A well-constructed AM message often aligns with a second channel—radio, computer terminal, or text log—so if one path misinterprets something, another path confirms it. This isn’t about extra steps; it’s about resilience. The goal is a message that remains legible no matter the device or the momentary signal quality.

Second, training creates muscle memory. Repeated exposure to the same format builds calm competence. You start to recognize a message’s structure at a glance, and you know what’s missing the moment you read it. That kind of familiarity comes from consistent, straightforward messaging—no trick punctuation, no flourish, just reliable data you can trust.

A couple of quick tips you can carry with you

• Favor “plain text” over anything decorative. If you’re choosing between two ways to write a field, pick the one that looks the most like a simple line you’d read on a screen without needing a key.

• Use common abbreviations correctly. Don’t improvise. If you’re not sure whether an abbreviation is standard in your system, check the agency’s reference list. Consistency wins.

• Keep timestamps consistent. If your unit uses a certain format, stick with it. A mismatched format is a small error with a big impact.

• Practice with real-world stories. A short, clear example of a vehicle or person match helps everyone see the practical value of clean messaging.

Connecting it all to the broader IDACS picture

IDACS isn’t just a single tool; it’s a network of channels and protocols designed to move information quickly and safely. The lessons about AM messages fit into a larger habit of disciplined communication. You’ll see this echoed in related duties—coordinate with field teams, verify details before you transmit, and always be ready to adapt if a channel’s behavior changes. It’s not about rigidity for its own sake; it’s about preserving the integrity of information when seconds matter and the pressure is on.

A final thought: the human side of the message

Behind every transmission, there are people listening, interpreting, and acting. It’s easy to treat this as a dry technical task, but the human element isn’t optional. Clear AM messages reduce cognitive load, ease fatigue, and help responders do what they trained to do: respond decisively, with minimal distraction. The discipline of avoiding special characters isn’t a petty quirk; it’s a lifeline that helps keep teams aligned when everything else is moving fast.

If you’re brushing up on AM messaging skills, keep the central idea in focus: clarity beats cleverness, plain text beats symbols, and standard abbreviations beat ambiguous phrasing. Direction of travel, date and time, NCIC codes—these are the anchors. Special characters? They belong nowhere near the core message. Stick to the basics, stay consistent, and you’ll help your team move with precision when it matters most.

And in case you’re wondering, this approach isn’t just theoretical. It mirrors the everyday wisdom you’ll hear from seasoned operators who’ve seen how a small formatting choice can ripple into a faster, safer response. That practical thread—between the rules and the real world—helps keep the work grounded and meaningful.

Bottom line

AM messages should be lean, legible, and universal. Avoid special characters, lean on direction of travel, date/time, and NCIC abbreviations, and keep your transmissions simple enough that a busy responder can read them at a glance. When you keep the messaging tight and predictable, you’re not just communicating—you’re enabling action, coordination, and, ultimately, safer outcomes for the communities you serve.