Elected Official Lobbying Guide
Build Relationships That Win
Council members and commissioners are your most powerful allies—but only if you reach them before police do. Year-round relationship building, not just budget-season lobbying, is the key to blocking encryption.
The Inside Game
The police chief proposes, but elected officials decide. If you've built trust with council members before encryption comes up, you'll have champions ready to fight. If you wait until the vote, it's often too late.
"The best time to lobby your council member was six months ago. The second best time is today."
Who to Target
Different officials have different powers
City Council Members
Budget authority, oversight votes
Council votes on police budgets, approves major purchases, and can require public hearings before encryption decisions. They're your primary target.
- Control budget line items
- Can demand police accountability
- Vote on encryption directly in many cities
County Commissioners
Sheriff/county police oversight
In unincorporated areas or counties with sheriff's offices, commissioners control the budget. Sheriff's departments often have more autonomy, making commissioner engagement crucial.
- Approve sheriff department budgets
- Can set county transparency policies
- Often overlooked by advocates
Mayors
Varies by city type
In strong-mayor cities, the mayor controls police directly and proposes the budget. In weak-mayor cities, they have limited authority. Know your city's structure.
- Strong mayor: Direct police authority
- Weak mayor: Ceremonial role
- Can veto council decisions in some cities
Police Commissioners
Where they exist
Some cities have civilian police commissions that oversee department policy. If yours does, they may need to approve encryption decisions.
- Oakland: Police Commission must approve
- Los Angeles: Police Commission oversight
- Check if your city has one
State Legislators
Statewide solutions
For systemic change, state legislators can pass laws requiring transparency across all agencies—like Colorado's HB21-1250. Especially valuable if local advocacy stalls.
- Can mandate statewide access policies
- Set standards for all jurisdictions
- See Colorado case study
Requesting a Meeting
How to get face time with decision-makers
Before You Request
- Research the official's background, committees, and past votes
- Identify any personal connections (constituent, mutual contacts)
- Prepare a clear, concise ask
- Have your evidence packet ready
Meeting Logistics
- Request 15-20 minutes (busy officials appreciate brevity)
- Offer flexibility on scheduling
- In-person is best, video call is second, phone is acceptable
- Bring 1-2 people maximum (larger groups feel like pressure campaigns)
Meeting Request Email Template
Subject: Constituent Request: 15-min Meeting on Police Transparency
Dear Council Member [NAME],
My name is [YOUR NAME], and I'm a constituent in [DISTRICT/CITY]. I'm writing to request a brief meeting to discuss police radio encryption and community transparency.
As you may know, [CITY/AGENCY] is considering encrypting police radio communications. I'd like to share information about how other communities have handled this issue and discuss approaches that balance police concerns with public transparency.
I'm requesting about 15 minutes of your time at your convenience. I'm flexible on scheduling and happy to meet in person, by video, or by phone—whatever works best for your schedule.
Thank you for your service to our community. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]
Framing Your Arguments
Match your message to the official's priorities
For Fiscal Conservatives
Focus: Taxpayer value
Lead with: "This is $X million with no documented return on investment."
- "Zero documented instances of scanner-related officer harm nationwide"
- "For this cost, we could hire X officers or fund X programs"
- "Why spend money solving a problem that doesn't exist?"
- "The police haven't provided any cost-benefit analysis"
For Progressives / Reform-Minded
Focus: Accountability
Lead with: "Encryption eliminates independent oversight exactly when we need more transparency."
- "Every major police accountability case started with scanner monitoring"
- "This gives police control over the narrative during critical incidents"
- "Communities deserve real-time information, not filtered press releases"
- "The timing—after 2020—tells you what this is really about"
For Public Safety Committee Members
Focus: Emergency response
Lead with: "Encryption breaks coordination between agencies and communities."
- "Neighboring fire departments may not be able to hear police calls"
- "Volunteer EMS and community responders lose critical information"
- "Highland Park: open scanners helped civilians avoid an active shooter"
- "Post-9/11 mandate requires interoperability—encryption undermines it"
For Newly Elected Officials
Focus: Education
Lead with: "I'd like to share information before you hear only the police perspective."
- "Police will present encryption as a safety necessity—here's the counterargument"
- "Other cities have found alternatives that work for everyone"
- "Your constituents care about this—it will be an issue"
- Focus on building relationship, not immediate asks
Leave-Behind One-Pager
Give officials something to reference after your meeting
Template: One-Page Summary for Elected Officials
THE ISSUE
[AGENCY] is proposing to encrypt police radio communications, blocking public and media access to police dispatch traffic.
THE FACTS
- Zero documented harm: No evidence that scanner access has ever injured an officer or compromised an operation
- 97 years of transparency: Police radio has been publicly accessible since 1921
- Cost: $[AMOUNT] for implementation, plus ongoing annual costs
- Alternatives exist: The CHP Model protects privacy without blocking public access
CONCERNS
- Eliminates independent oversight of police activity
- Reduces public safety awareness during emergencies
- Breaks interoperability with other agencies
- Spends taxpayer money on unproven benefit
OUR ASK
- Require a public hearing before any encryption decision
- Demand documented evidence of scanner-related harm before approving funding
- Consider hybrid alternatives that preserve public access
Building Champions
Turn supportive officials into active advocates
A sympathetic listener is valuable. An active champion is transformative. Here's how to develop officials into advocates:
What Champions Can Do
- Introduce resolutions opposing encryption
- Request hearings on the topic
- Propose budget amendments
- Ask pointed questions of police in public meetings
- Bring media attention to the issue
- Build coalitions with other council members
Success Story: Greer Stone
Palo Alto Council Member Greer Stone became the champion who reversed encryption in his city. He:
- Kept the issue on the council agenda for 20 months
- Connected with state legislators on SB 1000
- Spoke publicly and consistently about transparency
- Built support among other council members
Result: Palo Alto reversed encryption in August 2022.
Read the full case studyHow to Nurture Champions
- Provide ongoing information and updates
- Connect them with press freedom organizations
- Show up when they speak on the issue
- Thank them publicly and privately
- Help them build the case with evidence
- Be available to answer questions quickly
Year-Round Engagement Calendar
Advocacy happens all year, not just during budget season
Budget Preparation
January - March
- Departments prepare budget requests
- File FOIA for any encryption-related submissions
- Schedule meetings with council members before they hear police proposals
- Build relationships with newly elected officials
Budget Season
April - June (varies by jurisdiction)
- Proposed budget released
- Budget hearings held
- Maximum engagement: testimony, lobbying, amendments
- See Budget Intervention Guide
Implementation Watch
July - September
- Monitor any approved encryption projects
- Track implementation delays or problems
- Prepare for mid-year budget amendments
- Build coalition for next year if needed
Election Season
October - December
- Candidate questionnaires on transparency
- Election advocacy (non-partisan issues work)
- Educate newly elected officials before they take office
- Plan strategy for next budget cycle
Election Season Tactics
Make transparency an election issue
Candidate Questionnaires
Send questionnaires to all candidates asking about police transparency, radio encryption, and community oversight. Publish responses publicly.
Sample Questions:
- "Do you support public access to police radio communications?"
- "Would you vote to fund police radio encryption?"
- "Do you believe the public has a right to real-time information about police activity?"
Candidate Forums
Attend candidate forums and ask questions about police transparency. Get candidates on record before they're elected.
Forum Strategy:
- Submit questions in advance if possible
- Coordinate with others to ensure the topic is raised
- Record responses for future reference
Voter Guides
Work with press freedom groups or community organizations to create voter guides that include candidates' positions on transparency issues.
Post-Election Outreach
After elections, immediately reach out to winners. They're forming opinions and priorities—be there early.
Within 30 Days of Election:
- Congratulate winners
- Request introductory meeting
- Provide information packet
- Offer to be a resource on transparency issues
Take Action for Transparency
Your voice matters. Here are concrete ways to advocate for open police communications in your community.
Contact Your Representatives
Use our templates to email your local officials about police radio encryption policies.
Get StartedRead Case Studies
See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.
View CasesSpread Awareness
Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.
Public Testimony
Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.
Prepare to Speak