HILO >> Hawaii County police officers called to an emergency will no longer have to share portable radios under a newly approved policy, West Hawaii Today reported Wednesday.

The County Council unanimously approved the policy Tuesday requiring take-home radios for police officers. Currently, 405 patrol and Criminal Investigation Division officers share radios housed at police stations in multiple-unit chargers.

"This is a basic safety issue for police officers. This is our lifeline," said Sgt. Juergen Canda, one of the members of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers who attended a hearing of the council Committee on Human Services, Social Services and Public Safety. "Without it, you’re not going to get backup."

The union’s Hawaii County Chapter chairman, John Stewart, said in a letter read to the Council that the shortage of radios has been an officer safety issue that has been long overlooked.

The nonbinding resolution doesn’t have the effect of law, but sponsor South Kona Councilwoman Brenda Ford said she is prepared to draft an ordinance if the resolution isn’t effective. She included a $219,363 budget amendment that was to be voted on Wednesday to allow the Police Department to buy radios and chargers. The department would have to purchase 130 more portable radios for every officer to have one.

"This has been building up," Ford said. "We have officers in the line of duty in very dangerous situations without the ability to call for backup."

Maui and Honolulu police have a radio take-home policy, Stewart said.