CALIFORNIA ACTIVIST PLAYBOOK

California Action Guide

State-Specific Tactics to Restore Police Radio Transparency

California set the encryption trend when LAPD went dark in 2019. But Palo Alto proved reversal is possible. This guide gives you the specific contacts, legislation, and tactics you need to fight encryption in the Golden State.

California's Encryption Landscape

Understanding the battlefield before you fight

California leads the nation in police encryption adoption. Since 2018, the California Highway Patrol, LAPD, San Diego PD, San Jose PD, and dozens of other agencies have blocked public scanner access. The state serves as a model for departments nationwide considering encryption.

But California also offers the strongest hope. Palo Alto reversed its encryption after 20 months of community pressure. San Francisco maintains a media access program. And Senator Josh Becker's ongoing legislative efforts represent the most serious statewide response to encryption anywhere in America.

8+ Major Agencies Encrypted
1 Major Reversal (Palo Alto)
SB 719 Active State Legislation

Key California Encryption Timeline

2018 California Highway Patrol encrypts statewide
2019 LAPD encrypts, starting a cascade across Southern California
2020 CA DOJ issues PII protection directive; agencies cite it for encryption
2021 San Jose encrypts; Palo Alto quietly encrypts without public notice
Aug 2022 Palo Alto reverses encryption after 20 months of advocacy
2022-Present Senator Becker introduces transparency legislation (SB 1000, then SB 719)

Key California Contacts

The people who can make change happen

State Legislature

Senator Josh Becker (D-San Mateo)

SB 719 Sponsor

Why Contact: The leading voice for police radio transparency in California. Author of SB 719, the Law Enforcement Communications Transparency Act.

  • Capitol Office: State Capitol, Room 5114, Sacramento, CA 95814
  • Phone: (916) 651-4013
  • District Office: 1528 S. El Camino Real, Suite 303, San Mateo, CA 94402
  • District Phone: (650) 212-3313
  • Website: sd13.senate.ca.gov
Ask: "I support SB 719 and transparency in police communications. What can constituents do to help pass this bill?"

Assembly Public Safety Committee

Key Gatekeepers

Why Contact: Previous transparency bills have stalled in Assembly committees. Building support here is critical.

Ask: "Will you support SB 719 when it reaches the Assembly? Police transparency is a public safety issue."

Your State Senator & Assemblymember

Your Representatives

Why Contact: Your own representatives have the most incentive to listen to you as a constituent.

Ask: "Will you co-sponsor SB 719? My community deserves to know what police are doing."

State Government

California Department of Justice

Public Records Act

Why Contact: The CA DOJ's 2020 PII directive is cited by agencies as justification for encryption. The DOJ can clarify that encryption is not required.

CPRA Request: Request "all guidance documents regarding law enforcement radio encryption and compliance with the October 2020 PII protection directive."

Governor's Office

Executive Action

Why Contact: The Governor signs legislation and sets statewide priorities. Executive support can move SB 719 forward.

Media & Press Organizations

California News Publishers Association

SB 719 Co-Sponsor

Why Contact: CNPA actively lobbies for SB 719 and press access. They can connect you with local newspaper editorial boards.

  • Phone: (916) 288-6000
  • Website: cnpa.com

California Broadcasters Association

SB 719 Co-Sponsor

Why Contact: Represents TV and radio stations that depend on scanner access. Can coordinate local broadcast coverage of your campaign.

ACLU of California

Civil Liberties Ally

Why Contact: The ACLU has supported transparency legislation and can provide legal expertise or coalition credibility.

Legislative Actions: Support SB 719

State legislation is California's best path to systemic change

SB 719: Law Enforcement Communications Transparency Act

Active - Needs Your Support

What SB 719 Would Do

  • Require encrypted agencies to provide media access to radio communications within 30 days of request
  • Create a standard process for journalists to access encrypted channels
  • Mirror successful legislation adopted in Colorado (HB21-1250)
  • Preserve officer safety while restoring accountability

Legislative History

  • SB 1000 (2022): Passed Senate 25-8, died in Assembly Appropriations Committee
  • SB 719 (2023): Reintroduced with media access focus
  • Opposition: Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), California State Sheriffs' Association
  • Support: CNPA, CBA, ACLU, First Amendment Coalition

How to Support SB 719

1
Contact Your State Legislators

Use findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov to find your Senator and Assemblymember. Call and email both.

2
Submit Written Support

During committee hearings, submit written testimony via the legislature's online portal. Even if you can't attend, your letter counts.

3
Attend Committee Hearings

Public Safety committees meet in Sacramento. Your presence matters. Coordinate with advocacy groups for organized turnout.

4
Write Op-Eds

Submit to your local newspaper tying SB 719 to local encryption impacts. Personal stories are most powerful.

Sample Phone Script for Legislators

"Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY]. I'm calling to ask [SENATOR/ASSEMBLYMEMBER NAME] to support SB 719, the Law Enforcement Communications Transparency Act.

Police radio encryption has blocked public accountability in my community. Journalists can no longer cover emergencies in real-time. Parents can't monitor school lockdowns. The public deserves to know what police are doing.

Palo Alto reversed their encryption after community pressure. SB 719 would create a statewide solution. Will [SENATOR/ASSEMBLYMEMBER NAME] support this bill?"

Local Actions: City Council & Police Commission

State legislation takes time. Local action can work faster.

City Council Engagement

Most encryption decisions are made at the city level, often without council involvement. That's your opportunity.

Template: Request for Council Agenda Item

Dear [CITY COUNCIL MEMBER NAME],

I am writing to request that you agendize a public discussion of [CITY NAME] Police Department's radio encryption policy.

In [MONTH/YEAR], [CITY PD] encrypted its radio communications without public notice or Council involvement. This decision affects public safety transparency, emergency information access, and press freedom.

Other California cities have addressed this issue:

  • Palo Alto reversed its encryption in August 2022 after Council intervention
  • San Francisco maintains a media access program
  • SB 719 is pending at the state level to require transparency measures

I request the Council: (1) Hold a public hearing on encryption's impact, (2) Review whether encryption was properly authorized, and (3) Consider hybrid alternatives that preserve transparency while addressing operational needs.

I am available to discuss this further and can provide documentation on successful alternatives.

Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[PHONE/EMAIL]

Council Meeting Tips

  • Sign up for public comment - Most councils allow 2-3 minutes per speaker
  • Bring supporters - Numbers matter; coordinate testimony to cover different angles
  • Request a formal hearing - Ask for encryption to be agendized, not just addressed during general comment
  • Follow up in writing - After speaking, send your testimony in writing to all council members
  • Identify a champion - Palo Alto's reversal started with Councilman Greer Stone. Find your champion.

Police Commission Meetings

Many California cities have civilian police commissions that oversee department policies. They often have more direct authority over operational decisions like encryption.

Key Questions for Police Commissions

  • "Was the encryption decision brought before this commission for approval?"
  • "What documented incidents of scanner-related harm justified this decision?"
  • "What alternatives to full encryption were considered?"
  • "Does the department have a media access policy for encrypted channels?"
  • "How does encryption comply with the California DOJ's PII directive while preserving transparency?"

Commission Meeting Tips

  • Request the policy - File a CPRA request for the encryption policy and any commission discussion
  • Review past minutes - See if encryption was ever formally discussed or approved
  • Attend regularly - Build relationships with commissioners before you need them
  • Bring FOIA results - Show the "no records" response proving zero scanner harm

California Public Records Act (CPRA) Requests

California's sunshine law is stronger than federal FOIA

The California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250 et seq.) provides strong public access rights. Unlike federal FOIA, California agencies must respond within 10 days and cannot charge search fees for records requests made in the public interest.

California-Specific CPRA Templates

Template 1: Scanner Harm Documentation

Purpose: Prove there's no evidence scanner access has harmed officers

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250 et seq.), I request copies of the following records:

  1. All documented incidents, reports, or investigations where public access to police radio scanner communications resulted in:
    • Injury or harm to any officer or personnel
    • Compromise of any tactical operation
    • Flight or escape of any suspect
    • Interference with any emergency response
    for the period January 1, 2015 through present.

If no responsive records exist, please provide written confirmation of that fact, as this constitutes a responsive record under CPRA.

I request a fee waiver as this request is made in the public interest and will contribute to public understanding of police accountability.

Template 2: Encryption Decision Documents

Purpose: Discover who made the encryption decision and whether the public was consulted

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250 et seq.), I request copies of the following records:

  1. All internal communications (emails, memos, meeting notes) regarding the decision to encrypt police radio communications, from January 1, 2019 through present.
  2. All city council, police commission, or public meeting agendas and minutes where radio encryption was discussed.
  3. Any legal opinions or policy analyses regarding encryption and the October 2020 CA DOJ PII protection directive.
  4. Any correspondence with the California Department of Justice regarding encryption requirements.

Template 3: Encryption Costs

Purpose: Document the cost of encryption with no proven benefit

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250 et seq.), I request copies of the following records:

  1. All vendor proposals, quotes, and contracts for police radio encryption systems.
  2. Total expenditures for encryption implementation, including equipment, software, training, and ongoing maintenance.
  3. Budget line items related to radio communications upgrades for fiscal years 2019-present.
  4. Any cost-benefit analyses comparing encryption to alternatives such as selective encryption or media access programs.

California CPRA Tips

  • 10-day response: Agencies must respond within 10 days, though they may request a 14-day extension for "unusual circumstances"
  • No search fees: Agencies cannot charge for searching or reviewing records if the request is in the public interest
  • Electronic preferred: Request records in electronic format to avoid copying costs
  • Appeal denials: If denied, appeal to the agency head and cite Government Code Section 6253
  • "No records" is evidence: A response of "no responsive records" proves your point—there's no documented scanner harm

California Success Stories

Proof that change is possible

Palo Alto: The 20-Month Reversal

Encryption Reversed August 2022

In January 2021, Palo Alto Police quietly encrypted all radio communications without City Council involvement or public notice. Twenty months later, after sustained community advocacy led by Councilman Greer Stone, the department reversed course.

What Worked in Palo Alto

Council Champion

Councilman Greer Stone made unencryption his priority and pushed for public hearings.

Public Testimony

At a key meeting, 7 of 8 public speakers supported unencryption, demonstrating community consensus.

State Pressure

Senator Becker's SB 1000 cited Palo Alto, applying state-level pressure on the city.

CHP Alternative

Advocates showed that CHP complies with DOJ rules without full encryption, undermining the city's legal argument.

Read the full Palo Alto case study

San Francisco: Partial Access Model

Media Access Program

San Francisco maintains a media access program that provides credentialed journalists access to encrypted police channels. While not full public access, it preserves press freedom and provides a model other cities can adopt.

Read the San Francisco analysis

California Resources & Links

Everything you need for your advocacy campaign

Legislative Resources

Case Studies

Activist Playbook

Partner Organizations

Take Action for Transparency

Your voice matters. Here are concrete ways to advocate for open police communications in your community.

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Contact Your Representatives

Use our templates to email your local officials about police radio encryption policies.

Get Started
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Read Case Studies

See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.

View Cases
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Spread Awareness

Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.

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See the Evidence

Review the facts, myths, and research on police radio encryption.

View Evidence
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Public Testimony

Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.

Prepare to Speak
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Download Resources

Get FOIA templates, talking points, and materials for advocacy.

Access Toolkit