Washington Action Guide
Fighting Encryption in the Evergreen State
Washington has charted a different course than most states. Seattle and Puget Sound agencies chose partial encryption over full blackout. This guide shows you how to defend that middle ground and fight expansion in growing suburbs.
Washington Encryption Landscape
A state that chose partial transparency
Open Agencies
Olympia, Rural Counties, Coast
The state capital and rural communities remain largely accessible. Olympic Peninsula, Grays Harbor, and agricultural counties maintain traditional open communications.
Partial Encryption
Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellevue
Most major agencies keep main dispatch open while encrypting tactical channels. This middle-ground approach preserves meaningful access for routine operations.
Fully Encrypted
Washington State Patrol
WSP completed statewide encryption in 2020. Highway patrol and state-level operations are dark. Some rapidly growing suburbs are following suit.
The Washington Advantage
Unlike states where major cities went fully dark, Washington's largest agencies chose partial encryption. Seattle's approach proves full encryption isn't necessary, even for a major metro. Your job is to defend this model and prevent expansion to full encryption.
Washington Public Records Act
Your legal tools for fighting encryption
Washington Public Records Act (PRA)
RCW 42.56Washington has one of the strongest public records laws in the nation. Use it to request encryption costs, decision memos, and documentation of alleged scanner-related incidents.
- Response deadline: 5 business days to respond (not produce)
- No fee for inspection of records
- Penalties: $100/day for unjustified delays (up to $500 total)
- Attorney fees: Prevailing requesters can recover legal costs
Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA)
RCW 42.30Requires public notice and open deliberation for government decisions. If encryption was decided without public input, the decision may have violated OPMA.
- 24-hour notice required for special meetings
- Public comment periods required
- Executive session exceptions are narrow
- Violation remedy: Actions can be voided
Key tactic: If your city or county encrypted without a public vote, research whether OPMA was violated. Many encryption decisions happen in police department meetings without council oversight.
Sample Washington Public Records Act Request
To: [City/County] Public Records Officer
Subject: Public Records Request - Police Radio Encryption
Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), I request copies of the following records:
- All documented incidents from January 1, 2019 to present where police scanner access resulted in officer injury, suspect escape, or operational compromise in [Jurisdiction].
- All budget documents, vendor quotes, contracts, and cost estimates related to police radio encryption systems.
- All internal communications (emails, memos, meeting minutes) regarding police radio encryption decisions.
- Any policies or procedures regarding media access to police communications.
- All interoperability assessments conducted with fire/EMS regarding encrypted radio systems.
Per RCW 42.56.520, please respond within five business days. I request electronic delivery to [email] to minimize costs.
If any records are withheld, please cite the specific PRA exemption.
Key Washington Contacts
Who to call, write, and visit
Washington State Legislature
State law could require transparency policies statewide, similar to Colorado HB21-1250.
Find Your State Rep
Washington House of Representatives
Website: leg.wa.gov/House
Phone: (360) 786-7573
Use the "Find Your District" tool to identify your specific representative. Each district has two House members.
Find Your State Senator
Washington State Senate
Website: leg.wa.gov/Senate
Phone: (360) 786-7550
Schedule meetings during interim periods when legislators are in-district. Olympia meetings are effective during session (January-April).
Key Committees to Contact
- House Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry - Jurisdiction over law enforcement policy
- Senate Law & Justice - Police accountability and transparency issues
- House Appropriations - Controls state funding that could incentivize transparency
- Senate Ways & Means - Budget authority for state law enforcement
Seattle & King County
The Seattle metropolitan area sets the tone for the region. Defending partial encryption here protects the rest of the state.
Seattle City Council
Nine members representing citywide and district positions.
Website: seattle.gov/council
Phone: (206) 684-8888
Public Safety Committee oversees police policy. Attend committee meetings where encryption could be discussed.
King County Council
Nine-member council with jurisdiction over King County Sheriff.
Website: kingcounty.gov/council
Phone: (206) 477-1000
Law, Justice, Health & Human Services Committee handles public safety issues.
South Sound & North Sound
Pierce County (Tacoma) and Snohomish County represent the next largest population centers.
Tacoma City Council
Nine members at large and by district.
Website: cityoftacoma.org/council
Phone: (253) 591-5100
Pierce County Council
Seven-member council with budget authority over sheriff.
Website: piercecountywa.gov/council
Phone: (253) 798-7777
Snohomish County Council
Five-member council overseeing sheriff's office.
Website: snohomishcountywa.gov/council
Phone: (425) 388-3494
Seattle's Partial Encryption Model
A middle ground worth defending
How Seattle's Model Works
Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff implemented partial encryption in 2021. Main dispatch channels remain accessible while tactical and sensitive operations are encrypted. This approach preserves transparency for routine calls while securing specific operations.
What Remains Accessible
- Main dispatch: Routine calls for service, response assignments
- General patrol: Basic traffic stops, accident response, community calls
- Fire/EMS coordination: Multi-agency incident response
- Weather and traffic: Public safety announcements
What's Encrypted
- Tactical operations: SWAT, undercover work, surveillance
- Sensitive information: Victim details, informant communications
- Active investigations: Warrants, targeted operations
Why This Model Matters
Seattle's partial approach proves that full encryption isn't necessary. Media can still cover breaking news. Community members can monitor routine police activity. When other jurisdictions claim they need full encryption, point to Seattle: a major city with significant crime challenges maintains partial access.
Defending Partial Encryption
The partial model is under constant pressure. Police unions and some officials push for full encryption. Your advocacy helps maintain the current balance.
Key Arguments to Make
- Seattle's partial model has worked since 2021 without documented issues
- Full encryption would harm media coverage and public accountability
- Zero documented cases of scanner access causing operational problems in Seattle
- Interoperability with fire/EMS requires some channels to remain accessible
Protecting Growing Suburbs
Where the next encryption battles will be fought
Washington's fastest-growing communities are the front lines. As suburbs like Sammamish, Issaquah, Bothell, and Federal Way expand, their police departments upgrade radio systems. These upgrades create opportunities for encryption.
East King County Suburbs
Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, and Mercer Island. Tech industry influence creates both advocates and opponents of encryption.
Key Actions
- Monitor city council agendas for "communications upgrades"
- Attend police foundation and community advisory meetings
- Build relationships with tech workers who value transparency
- Coordinate with Seattle advocates to present regional arguments
South King County
Kent, Federal Way, Renton, Auburn, and SeaTac. Growing populations and diverse communities need accessible police communications.
Key Actions
- Connect with community organizations and neighborhood groups
- Emphasize emergency preparedness in flood-prone valleys
- Work with immigrant community leaders who rely on scanner access
- Attend city council meetings during budget season (October-December)
Pierce County Growth Areas
University Place, Lakewood, Bonney Lake, Puyallup. Military presence (JBLM) creates unique dynamics around security communications.
Key Actions
- Coordinate with Tacoma advocates for regional strategy
- Emphasize volcano and lahar evacuation communication needs
- Work with veteran and military family communities
- Monitor Pierce County Transit and regional radio systems
Snohomish County
Everett, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Lake Stevens, Marysville. Boeing presence and growing tech industry create advocates.
Key Actions
- Focus on Everett as the county's largest city
- Coordinate with aviation industry workers accustomed to open communications
- Emphasize wildfire and flood emergency response needs
- Monitor SNOCOM (Snohomish County 911) decisions
Washington State Patrol Status
Fully encrypted, but regional advocacy continues
Current Status: Fully Encrypted
Washington State Patrol completed statewide encryption in 2020. All WSP communications, including highway patrol, are no longer accessible via scanner.
Impact of WSP Encryption
- Highway incident coverage: Media now rely on WSP Twitter/X and press releases for accident information
- Pass closures: Snoqualmie, Stevens, and mountain pass status less accessible in real-time
- Border and ferry traffic: Harder to monitor for travelers and truckers
- State fairgrounds and events: Security communications at large gatherings are dark
What You Can Do
While reversing WSP encryption is unlikely without state legislation, you can still take action:
- Support state legislation: Push for bills requiring media access provisions in encrypted systems
- Advocate for alternatives: Press for delayed feeds or media access programs
- Prevent local expansion: Use WSP as an example of what happens with full encryption
- Document impact: Collect stories of how WSP encryption has affected communities, media coverage, and emergency response
Media & Coalition Allies
Building your Washington advocacy network
Washington News Publishers Association
Represents newspapers across Washington state, including the Seattle Times, Spokane Spokesman-Review, and community papers.
Website: wnpa.com
Location: Seattle, WA
WNPA has lobbied on press access issues. They can coordinate editorial board meetings and statewide coverage campaigns.
Washington State Association of Broadcasters
Represents radio and television stations statewide. Members include KING, KOMO, KIRO, and regional stations.
Website: wsab.org
Location: Olympia, WA
Broadcasters use scanners daily for breaking news. Their members have direct interest in maintaining access.
ACLU of Washington
Active on police accountability and transparency issues in Washington.
Website: aclu-wa.org
Phone: (206) 624-2184
ACLU-WA has engaged on police oversight. They can provide legal expertise and coalition credibility.
Washington Coalition for Open Government
Nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting public records and open meetings.
Website: washingtoncog.org
WCOG provides training on PRA/OPMA and can support transparency advocacy campaigns.
Seattle/King County NAACP
Active on police accountability and community safety issues.
Website: seattlekingcountynaacp.org
Community organizations bring diverse voices to transparency advocacy. Coordinate testimony and coalition letters.
Washington Fire Chiefs Association
Represents fire department leadership across Washington.
Website: wsfca.com
Fire chiefs often have concerns about encryption's impact on interoperability. Their testimony carries weight.
Media Strategy for Washington
Local TV News
Seattle's TV stations (KING, KOMO, KIRO, KCPQ, KONG) all use scanners for breaking news. Contact assignment desks and news directors to build relationships before encryption becomes an issue.
Editorial Boards
Request meetings with editorial boards at the Seattle Times, Tacoma News Tribune, Spokane Spokesman-Review, and Everett Herald. Bring your evidence package and propose specific editorial angles.
Regional Papers
Don't overlook community newspapers. The South County Journal, Federal Way Mirror, Issaquah Reporter, and similar papers cover local government closely and may be more accessible for op-eds.
Take Action in Washington
Your next steps
Check Your Local Status
Before taking action, understand what's happening in your specific jurisdiction.
- Check RadioReference.com for your county and city
- Search local news archives for "police encryption" or "radio system"
- Review recent city/county budgets for communications line items
- Contact your local media to ask about their scanner access
File Public Records Requests
Use Washington's strong Public Records Act to gather intelligence.
- Request documentation of scanner-related incidents (likely zero)
- Request encryption cost estimates and vendor communications
- Request internal communications about encryption decisions
- Track response deadlines (5 business days for acknowledgment)
Attend Public Meetings
Most encryption decisions happen at city council or county council level.
- Sign up for agenda notifications from your city/county
- Watch for "communications upgrade" or "radio system" items
- Attend public safety committee meetings
- Speak during public comment periods
Build Your Coalition
You're more effective with allies. Recruit diverse voices.
- Contact local journalists and news directors
- Reach out to fire department leadership
- Connect with neighborhood associations
- Coordinate with statewide press freedom groups