ACTIVIST PLAYBOOK

Utah Action Guide

Fighting Encryption in the Beehive State

Utah's growing tech sector and expanding metro areas create pressure for police encryption, but the state's strong GRAMA transparency law provides tools to fight back. From Salt Lake City to St. George, this guide shows you how to protect scanner access in one of America's fastest-growing states.

Utah Encryption Landscape

Growth pressure meets Western transparency traditions

Salt Lake City

Partial Encryption

Utah's capital and largest city has moved tactical channels to encryption. Dispatch remains partially accessible, but the trend is concerning as the city grows.

Salt Lake County

Varies by Agency

Unified Police Department and individual municipal departments have varying encryption status. The county's rapid growth creates pressure for system-wide changes.

Utah Highway Patrol

Partially Accessible

UHP maintains accessible dispatch channels across the state's vast highway network. Critical for travelers and rural communities.

Provo / Utah County

Mostly Open

Utah's second-largest metro area maintains largely open communications. BYU campus and tech corridor create engaged community with transparency interests.

Rural Utah

Largely Open

Most rural counties maintain open communications. Vast distances and outdoor recreation areas make scanner access essential for safety.

Utah's Growth Challenge

Utah is one of America's fastest-growing states. As cities expand and police departments modernize radio systems, encryption decisions loom. Acting now - before departments commit to expensive encrypted infrastructure - is critical. Prevention is easier than reversal.

Outdoor Recreation and Scanner Access

In the land of national parks, scanners are survival tools

Search and Rescue Coordination

Utah has more national parks than any state except California and Alaska. Millions visit annually, and search and rescue operations are frequent. Scanner access helps families and communities stay informed during emergencies.

  • 5 national parks plus numerous monuments and recreation areas
  • Hundreds of SAR operations annually across Utah's wilderness
  • Multi-agency coordination across federal, state, and county jurisdictions
  • Cell service is unreliable or nonexistent in many areas

Why Outdoor Recreation Changes the Argument

Utah's identity is built on outdoor recreation. When hikers go missing or climbers need rescue, scanner access provides critical situational awareness for families and communities.

Key Arguments for Utah

  • SAR coordination: Families of missing persons monitor scanner for search updates
  • Backcountry safety: Outdoor guides monitor conditions and emergency traffic
  • Tourism economy: Visitors need emergency awareness in unfamiliar terrain
  • Volunteer coordination: SAR volunteers use scanner for situational awareness

Wildfire Season Considerations

Utah faces increasing wildfire risk, particularly in the Wasatch Front and southern Utah. Scanner access helps communities track fire response and evacuation orders.

Urban-Wildland Interface: Thousands of homes along the Wasatch Front are in fire-prone areas. Real-time information is critical during fire season.
Multi-Agency Response: Wildfires involve federal, state, and local agencies. Scanner monitoring helps track coordinated response.
Evacuation Awareness: When evacuation orders are issued, scanner provides real-time details on affected areas and safe routes.

GRAMA: Government Records Access and Management Act

Utah's strong transparency law

Government Records Access and Management Act

Utah Code 63G-2

GRAMA is one of the nation's most detailed public records laws. It creates multiple classifications of records and provides clear access rights.

  • Response deadline: 10 business days (can be extended)
  • Fee limits: Actual costs; fee waivers available for public interest
  • Appeal to: State Records Committee (binding decisions)
  • Penalties: Civil penalties for willful non-compliance
Get Utah GRAMA templates

State Records Committee

63G-2-502

Utah's State Records Committee provides binding resolution of records disputes. This independent body gives GRAMA real enforcement teeth.

  • File appeals: Within 30 days of denial
  • Hearings: Committee conducts formal hearings
  • Binding orders: Committee decisions are enforceable
  • Website: archives.utah.gov/src

Key tactic: Use the State Records Committee aggressively. Their binding orders carry real weight with agencies.

Sample Utah GRAMA Request

To: [Agency] Records Officer

Subject: GRAMA Records Request (Utah Code 63G-2) - Police Radio Encryption

Pursuant to the Government Records Access and Management Act (Utah Code 63G-2), I request access to the following records:

  1. All documented incidents from January 1, 2019 to present where public access to police radio communications resulted in injury to any officer, escape of a suspect, or compromise of any police operation in [Jurisdiction].
  2. All budget documents, vendor contracts, and cost estimates related to police radio encryption systems or P25 radio upgrades.
  3. All internal correspondence (emails, memos, meeting minutes) regarding the decision to encrypt or consider encrypting police radio communications.
  4. Any policies or procedures regarding media or public access to police communications.
  5. Documentation of any interoperability assessments regarding encryption's impact on coordination with surrounding jurisdictions, Utah Highway Patrol, or federal agencies (including National Park Service).

If no responsive records exist for any category, please confirm in writing.

I request electronic copies where available. Pursuant to 63G-2-203(4), I request a fee waiver as this disclosure serves the public interest.

If any records are classified as other than public, please cite the specific Utah Code provision.

Enforcement Options

If your GRAMA request is denied or inadequately answered:

Chief Administrative Officer Appeal

First step: appeal to the agency's chief administrative officer within 30 days. This must be completed before SRC appeal.

State Records Committee

If agency appeal fails, appeal to SRC within 30 days. The Committee holds hearings and issues binding orders.

Phone: (801) 531-3850

District Court

SRC decisions can be appealed to district court. Alternatively, you can bypass SRC and file directly in court.

Key Utah Contacts

Who to call, write, and visit

Utah State Legislature

State legislation could establish transparency requirements statewide. Utah's citizen legislature meets for only 45 days annually, making timing critical.

Find Your State Representative

Utah House of Representatives (75 members)

Website: le.utah.gov

Phone: (801) 538-1029

Use "Find My Legislator" tool at le.utah.gov. Utah legislators are citizen legislators - often accessible.

Find Your State Senator

Utah Senate (29 members)

Website: le.utah.gov

Phone: (801) 538-1035

Senators serve 4-year terms. Interim committee meetings occur throughout the year.

Key Committees

  • House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice - Police policy and funding
  • Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice - Police accountability
  • House/Senate Government Operations - Open government and transparency

Salt Lake City Government

Utah's capital has partial encryption. Push for transparency requirements and preventing further encryption.

START HERE

Salt Lake City Council

7 Council Members representing 7 districts

Website: slc.gov/council

Phone: (801) 535-7600

Council members are your direct path to policy change in the capital.

Salt Lake City Police Department

Chief of Police

Phone: (801) 799-3000

Document the department's encryption justifications for council appeals.

Salt Lake County Council

9 Council Members

Website: slco.org/council

Phone: (385) 468-7500

County controls Unified Police Department serving unincorporated areas and many municipalities.

Unified Police Department

Chief of Police

Website: updsl.org

UPD serves many Salt Lake County cities. Their encryption decisions affect multiple jurisdictions.

Utah County / Provo

Utah's second-largest county maintains mostly open communications. Protect this status and encourage it as a model.

Utah County Commission

3 Commissioners

Website: utahcounty.gov

Phone: (801) 851-8109

Thank Utah County for maintaining open access. Encourage resistance to encryption pressure.

Provo City Council

7 Council Members

Website: provo.org

Phone: (801) 852-6100

Provo's engaged community can be mobilized for transparency advocacy.

Other Key Utah Areas

Utah's growing cities and tourist destinations require specific attention.

St. George City Council

5 Council Members + Mayor

Website: sgcity.org

Phone: (435) 627-4000

Southern Utah's largest city and gateway to Zion National Park. Growing rapidly.

Park City Council

5 Council Members + Mayor

Website: parkcity.org

Phone: (435) 615-5000

Tourism destination with Sundance and ski resorts. Multi-agency emergency coordination.

Utah Advocacy Strategies

Tactics for the Wasatch Front, rural Utah, and statewide

Wasatch Front Prevention Campaign

Goal: Prevent full encryption as Salt Lake County modernizes radio systems

Key Arguments

  • Wildfire risk: Urban-wildland interface along the Wasatch requires emergency awareness
  • Multi-agency coordination: UPD, municipal departments, UHP, and federal agencies need interoperability
  • Growth pressure: New residents need emergency awareness in unfamiliar environments
  • Cost transparency: Taxpayers deserve to know what encryption costs and why

Tactics

  • Engage before radio system upgrades are finalized
  • Attend Salt Lake County Council and UPD board meetings
  • File GRAMA requests for encryption planning documents
  • Connect with fire departments who may oppose encryption for interoperability

Recreation and Tourism Coalition

Goal: Build coalition around outdoor recreation and tourism safety

Coalition Partners

  • Search and rescue organizations: SAR teams understand scanner value
  • Outdoor recreation industry: Guides and outfitters need emergency awareness
  • Tourism boards: Visitor safety supports economic interests
  • Amateur radio operators: ARES/RACES volunteers are natural allies

Key Questions for Officials

  • "How will encryption affect search and rescue coordination?"
  • "What documentation justifies this cost to taxpayers?"
  • "How will wildfire response be affected?"
  • "What alternatives to full encryption have been evaluated?"

Sample Testimony: Utah Context

"Utah's identity is built on our national parks, our ski resorts, and our outdoor recreation. Every year, we have hikers who get lost, climbers who need rescue, and emergencies in places without cell service.

When my family member was lost in the backcountry, I monitored my scanner to follow the search. That real-time information kept me informed and helped me coordinate with neighbors who were helping.

Encryption would cut off that lifeline. It would leave families in the dark during the most stressful moments of their lives. Utah's GRAMA law demonstrates our commitment to transparency. Let's keep police communications accessible too."

Utah Media Contacts

Allies in the fight for transparency

Utah Press Association

Represents newspapers across Utah who depend on scanner access for breaking news coverage.

Website: utahpress.com

Phone: (801) 328-8678

Report encryption issues and coordinate statewide media advocacy.

Utah Broadcasters Association

TV and radio stations who rely on scanner access for real-time news coverage.

Website: utahbroadcasters.com

Phone: (801) 561-1965

Broadcast journalists cover wildfires and breaking news; they understand scanner value.

Utah Foundation for Open Government

Coalition dedicated to protecting and expanding public access to government information in Utah.

Natural allies for scanner access advocacy. Works closely with media organizations.

ACLU of Utah

Civil liberties advocacy and legal support for transparency cases.

Website: acluutah.org

Phone: (801) 521-9862

Can provide legal expertise and coalition credibility.

Take Action Now

Five concrete steps to protect scanner access in Utah

1

File a GRAMA Request

Start with the harm documentation request. Most agencies will respond "no records found" - your most powerful evidence.

Download templates
2

Contact Your Legislators

Ask your state representative and senator to support transparency requirements. Utah's 45-day session means timing is critical.

Find your legislator
3

Attend Local Meetings

City councils and county commissions are accessible. Show up and make your voice heard.

Testimony guide
4

Use the State Records Committee

Utah's SRC provides binding enforcement. Appeal denials aggressively.

SRC website
5

Build a Coalition

Connect with SAR volunteers, outdoor recreation industry, journalists, and ham radio operators.

Coalition playbook

Utah Resources

Legislative Resources

Legal Resources

Case Studies

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