ACTIVIST PLAYBOOK

Kentucky Action Guide

Fighting Encryption in the Bluegrass State

Kentucky has 120 elected sheriffs - more than almost any other state. With strong open records laws and a history of press freedom advocacy, Kentuckians have real tools to fight encryption. From Louisville to Lexington to rural counties, this guide shows you how to protect scanner access.

Kentucky Encryption Landscape

Major cities at decision points, rural largely open

Partial/Transitioning

Louisville Metro Police

LMPD has implemented varying degrees of encryption. As Kentucky's largest city and a focal point for police accountability discussions, Louisville's decisions set precedent statewide.

Mixed Status

Lexington-Fayette, Northern Kentucky

Lexington Police and northern Kentucky agencies near Cincinnati have inconsistent approaches. These growing areas are at decision points where advocacy can make a difference.

Largely Open

Rural Kentucky, Smaller Cities

Most of Kentucky's 120 counties maintain accessible communications. Strong traditions of local governance and limited budgets favor transparency outside major metros.

The Kentucky Opportunity

Kentucky's county structure gives citizens significant leverage. All 120 sheriffs are elected and answer directly to voters. Fiscal courts control budgets. The state's strong open records tradition and active press corps provide foundation for advocacy. Act now while Louisville and Lexington are still making decisions that will shape the state's future.

Kentucky Open Records Act

Your legal tools for fighting encryption

Kentucky Open Records Act

KRS 61.870

Kentucky's Open Records Act provides strong public access rights with robust enforcement mechanisms. Use it to request encryption costs, decision documents, and any claimed officer safety incidents.

  • 5-day response: Agency must respond within 5 business days
  • Attorney fees: Court shall award fees if you substantially prevail
  • AG opinions: Attorney General provides binding opinions on disputes
  • Penalties: Fines up to $25 per day for willful violations
  • No purpose required: You don't have to explain why you want records
Get Kentucky open records templates

Kentucky Open Meetings Act

KRS 61.800

Government meetings must be open and properly noticed. If encryption decisions were made without public deliberation, they may violate Kentucky's sunshine laws.

  • Notice required: Must provide regular meeting schedule plus special meeting notice
  • Agenda posting: Special meetings require agenda in advance
  • Executive sessions: Limited to specific statutory exemptions
  • Minutes required: Must be written and made publicly available

Key tactic: Request all meeting minutes where radio systems, encryption, or communications upgrades were discussed. Check if fiscal court approved major radio expenditures.

Sample Kentucky Open Records Request

To: [City/County] Official Custodian of Records

Subject: Kentucky Open Records Act Request - Police Radio Encryption

Pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 et seq.), I request copies of the following records:

  1. All documented incidents from January 1, 2019 to present where police scanner access resulted in officer injury, suspect escape, or operational compromise in [Jurisdiction].
  2. All budget documents, vendor quotes, contracts, and cost estimates related to police radio encryption or digital radio system upgrades.
  3. All meeting minutes, agendas, and recorded votes regarding police radio encryption or communications system changes.
  4. All internal communications (emails, memos, text messages) discussing police radio encryption policy.
  5. Any policies or procedures regarding media access to police communications.
  6. All interoperability agreements with fire, EMS, and neighboring counties regarding radio communications.

Please provide records electronically to [email] to minimize costs. Per KRS 61.880, I expect a response within 5 business days.

If any records will be withheld, please cite the specific statutory exemption for each document withheld, as required by KRS 61.880(1).

Kentucky-Specific Tips

Attorney General Appeals

Kentucky's AG provides binding opinions on records disputes. This is a powerful, free tool for challenging denials.

Sheriff vs. City Police

County sheriff's offices and city police are separate agencies. File requests to both if they serve your area.

Fiscal Court Records

Budget approvals go through fiscal courts. Request procurement documents for radio system purchases.

Mandatory Attorney Fees

If you substantially prevail in court, the court "shall" award attorney fees. This provides strong incentive for compliance.

Key Kentucky Contacts

State legislators, local officials, and sheriffs

Kentucky General Assembly

State legislation could establish transparency requirements statewide. Kentucky's legislature meets January through April in odd years and January-February in even years.

Find Your KY House Member

Kentucky House of Representatives (100 members)

Website: legislature.ky.gov

Phone: (502) 564-8100

Use "Find Your Legislator" tool on the legislature website. Schedule meetings during interim months.

Find Your KY Senator

Kentucky State Senate (38 members)

Website: legislature.ky.gov

Phone: (502) 564-8100

Session is short - best time for constituent meetings is spring through fall during interim.

Key Committees to Contact

  • House Judiciary Committee - Law enforcement policy and oversight
  • Senate Judiciary Committee - Public safety and criminal justice
  • Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary - Meets during recess on law enforcement issues
  • House Appropriations and Revenue - Controls funding that could mandate transparency

Major City & County Contacts

Metro councils and city commissions oversee municipal police. Fiscal courts control county sheriff budgets.

Louisville Metro Council

26 council members representing Louisville-Jefferson County

Website: louisvilleky.gov

Phone: (502) 574-1100

Louisville's Public Safety Committee oversees LMPD. Attend meetings when police policies are discussed.

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council

15 council members for merged city-county government

Website: lexingtonky.gov

Phone: (859) 258-3200

Lexington's merged government gives council direct authority over police department policy.

Your County Fiscal Court

County judge-executive and magistrates

Fiscal courts control sheriff's office budgets. Question radio system upgrade line items.

Your Elected Sheriff

Kentucky's 120 elected sheriffs are constitutional officers who answer directly to voters. This gives you direct electoral leverage.

Why Kentucky Sheriffs Matter

With 120 counties, Kentucky has more sheriffs than most states. Each one faces voters every four years:

  • Request a meeting with your sheriff about transparency
  • Ask about encryption plans before next election
  • Document their position for voter awareness
  • Organize scanner listeners and ham radio operators
  • Contact Kentucky Sheriffs' Association about statewide policy

Kentucky Sheriffs' Association: kysheriffs.org

Louisville Metro Police Focus

Kentucky's largest city is the key battleground

Louisville Metro Police Department serves over 600,000 residents and has been at the center of national police accountability discussions. Following the Breonna Taylor case, Louisville entered a federal consent decree requiring reform. Scanner access is part of the accountability equation.

Accountability Context

Louisville's federal consent decree creates unique leverage:

  • DOJ oversight requires transparency measures
  • Community trust is explicitly part of reform goals
  • Encryption contradicts accountability requirements
  • Media access is essential for oversight
  • Federal monitor may be receptive to transparency arguments

Advocacy Strategy

Leverage the consent decree context:

  • Frame transparency as consent decree alignment
  • Connect with DOJ monitoring team
  • Partner with Louisville civil rights organizations
  • Attend Metro Council public safety meetings
  • Request encryption-related records under KORA

Your Louisville Accountability Argument

"Louisville entered a federal consent decree requiring police reform and community trust. Encrypting LMPD radios moves in the opposite direction by eliminating real-time public oversight. If Louisville is serious about accountability, it should maintain - not eliminate - the transparency that scanner access provides."

Key Louisville Contacts

Metro Council Public Safety Committee

Oversees LMPD policy and budget

Civilian Review & Accountability Board

Independent oversight body for LMPD

Louisville Office of Inspector General

Investigates LMPD complaints and policy issues

The Elected Sheriff Strategy

120 sheriffs who answer to voters

Kentucky's 120 counties each have an elected sheriff who controls their own communications policies. This gives citizens across the state direct electoral leverage that doesn't exist in most jurisdictions. Make encryption a campaign issue.

Before Elections

  • Research incumbent's position on encryption
  • File open records requests for any encryption plans
  • Ask candidates direct questions at forums
  • Document responses for voter guides
  • Organize scanner listener voting bloc

Between Elections

  • Request meetings with your sheriff
  • Attend fiscal court budget hearings
  • Monitor radio system upgrade contracts
  • Build relationships with local journalists
  • Organize community scanner groups

Coalition Partners

  • Ham radio operators (ARRL Kentucky Section)
  • Volunteer firefighters with scanner access
  • Local TV and radio news directors
  • Storm spotters and SKYWARN volunteers
  • Neighborhood watch coordinators

Severe Weather Arguments

Kentucky faces significant severe weather threats including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flooding, and ice storms. Scanner access provides critical real-time information:

  • Tornado touchdown and damage reports
  • Flash flood and water rescue coordination
  • Road closure and hazard information
  • Power outage and utility emergencies
  • Multi-agency emergency response coordination

Use severe weather safety as a key argument, especially in tornado-prone western Kentucky.

Kentucky Sheriff Election Calendar

Kentucky sheriffs are elected every 4 years in November general elections. Primary elections in May determine nominees. Key dates:

  • Next General Election: November 2026
  • Primary Elections: May 2026
  • Filing Deadline: Typically January of election year

If your sheriff is up for re-election, now is the time to get their position on encryption on record.

Media Contacts & Allies

Build your coalition with Kentucky organizations

Media Organizations

KEY ALLY

Kentucky Press Association

Represents newspapers and digital news outlets across Kentucky. Strong history of open records advocacy.

Website: kypress.com

Request KPA statement supporting scanner access as press freedom issue.

KEY ALLY

Kentucky Broadcasters Association

Represents TV and radio stations. Breaking news coverage depends on scanner access.

Website: kba.org

Ask KBA to mobilize member stations against encryption.

Courier Journal (Louisville)

Kentucky's largest newspaper. Has covered police accountability extensively.

Contact investigative team about encryption coverage.

Lexington Herald-Leader

Central Kentucky's major newspaper. Active in open records advocacy.

Pitch stories connecting encryption to transparency.

Open Government Advocates

KEY ALLY

Scripps Howard First Amendment Center

University of Kentucky center for press freedom and open government research.

Contact for research support and coalition building.

ACLU of Kentucky

Civil liberties organization working on police accountability, especially in Louisville.

Website: aclu-ky.org

Partner on accountability arguments for encryption opposition.

Kentucky Attorney General

Provides binding opinions on Open Records Act disputes. A key enforcement mechanism.

File AG appeal if open records requests are denied.

Emergency Services Partners

Kentucky Fire Chiefs Association

Fire chiefs who depend on interoperability with law enforcement.

Frame encryption as interoperability threat for multi-agency response.

Kentucky Emergency Management

State agency coordinating severe weather and disaster response.

Emphasize how encryption complicates emergency coordination.

National Weather Service Louisville & Jackson

NWS offices covering Kentucky severe weather operations.

Connect severe weather awareness to scanner access arguments.

Take Action: Kentucky Resources

Everything you need to fight encryption in Kentucky

Request

Open Records Templates

KY-ready records requests

 Speak

Testimony Scripts

Ready for council meetings

 Plan

Campaign Timeline

Build your advocacy strategy

 Options

Hybrid Alternatives

Proposals officials can accept

 Allies

Coalition Building

Organize your community

 Lobby

Lobbying Guide

Influence your legislators

Kentucky Government Quick Links

  • Find Your Legislators: legislature.ky.gov
  • Kentucky Sheriffs' Association: kysheriffs.org
  • Kentucky Association of Counties: kaco.org
  • Kentucky Press Association: kypress.com
  • Kentucky Attorney General (Open Records): ag.ky.gov/civil-division/open-records

Your Kentucky Action Checklist

File open records request for encryption documents
Identify your sheriff and next election date
Contact local TV news director about scanner access
Reach out to Kentucky Press Association
Attend next fiscal court or council meeting
Document severe weather monitoring needs
Request meeting with your sheriff

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