Police Radio Encryption: 2025-2026 Developments
The landscape has shifted dramatically. Here's what's happened—and what it means for transparency advocates.
The Big Picture
2025-2026 has been a pivotal period for police radio transparency. On one hand, encryption has spread rapidly across major metropolitan areas. On the other, we've seen the first significant legislative victories for press access—proving that pushback is possible.
Wins
- NYC Local Law 46 enacted (Jan 2026)
- Seattle preserves dispatch access
- Growing legislative momentum
Setbacks
- East Bay regional blackout (Oct 2025)
- Minneapolis encryption (May 2025)
- Hochul vetoes NY state bill (Jan 2026)
- Brazos County surprise encryption (Dec 2025)
Timeline of Key Events
2025
Minneapolis Goes Dark
In the city where George Floyd was killed—and where the initial police statement was contradicted by witness video—scanner traffic goes silent. City launches an incidents dashboard as an alternative, updating every 30 minutes.
Minneapolis, MNSeattle Announces Partial Encryption
Seattle PD announces it will encrypt tactical channels while keeping dispatch channels open—a middle-ground approach tied to the regional PSERN upgrade.
Read the Seattle case study → Seattle, WAOakland Encrypts Without Notice
Oakland PD encrypts radio communications after announcing the decision in late April—without press release, press conference, or public input. Even the Police Commission was surprised.
Read the Oakland case study → Oakland, CAContra Costa County Encryption
All Contra Costa County law enforcement agencies complete encryption of radio communications as part of the East Bay regional rollout.
Contra Costa County, CAAlameda County Goes Dark
After technical delays, all Alameda County agencies except Berkeley complete encryption before sunrise. Nearly 2 million residents lose access to police communications.
Read the East Bay case study → Alameda County, CABerkeley Falls—8-1 Vote for Encryption
Despite community opposition, Berkeley City Council votes overwhelmingly to encrypt. The "last holdout" argument proves decisive—Berkeley was the only open agency left in two counties.
Read the Berkeley case study → Berkeley, CABrazos County Surprise Encryption
Multiple Texas agencies—College Station PD, Bryan PD, Brazos County Sheriff, TAMU Police, and DPS—encrypt without public notice, discussion, or community input.
Read the Brazos County case study → Brazos County, TX2026
Governor Hochul Vetoes State Press Access Bill
New York Governor Kathy Hochul vetoes statewide legislation that would have required press access to encrypted police radio across all New York agencies.
Read about the Hochul veto → New York StateNYC Local Law 46 Takes Effect
One day after Hochul's veto, NYC Local Law 46 goes into effect—making New York City the first major American city to require press access to encrypted police radio. The law mandates an unencrypted critical incident channel for the public.
Read the NYC success story → New York CitySeattle Partial Encryption Implementation
Seattle completes transition to partial encryption model under PSERN. Dispatch remains open; tactical channels encrypted.
Read the Seattle case study → Seattle, WAKey Trends We're Watching
Regional Coordination
Encryption is increasingly happening at the regional level, not city-by-city. When one agency encrypts, it pressures neighbors to follow—creating domino effects that are hard to stop.
Example: East Bay's coordinated rollout left Berkeley as the "only open agency," making their encryption nearly inevitable.
Local Action When State Fails
NYC's success came one day after the state bill was vetoed—proving cities can act independently when state legislatures fail.
Lesson: Don't abandon local campaigns just because state efforts stall. City councils are often more responsive.
Middle-Ground Models Emerging
Seattle's partial encryption and NYC's press access law represent alternatives to all-or-nothing approaches. These models may become templates for compromise.
Options: Partial encryption, delayed access, press credentialing—multiple approaches now have real-world examples.
Surprise Encryption Without Notice
Multiple agencies—Oakland, Brazos County—encrypted without meaningful public notice or input. Communities are learning about encryption after it happens.
Action needed: Proactive advocacy before encryption happens, not reactive campaigns afterward.
Detailed Case Studies
Click any card below for full analysis of each development.
NYC Local Law 46
First major city to mandate press access
January 2026 MixedSeattle Partial Encryption
Dispatch open, tactical encrypted
June 2025 - Q2 2026 Regional BlackoutEast Bay California
Two-county coordinated encryption
October 2025 No NoticeOakland
Encryption bypassed oversight
September 2025 Last HoldoutBerkeley
Progressive city voted 8-1 for encryption
October 2025 SurpriseBrazos County, TX
Encryption without public discussion
December 2025 VetoNY Governor Veto
State bill blocked despite legislative passage
January 2026 ReversedPalo Alto
Community pressure won transparency back
August 2022What You Can Do
The 2025-2026 developments show that both directions are possible—encryption can spread rapidly, but transparency can also win when communities organize.
If Your City Hasn't Encrypted
- Monitor local government agendas for encryption discussions
- Build coalition with journalists, civil liberties groups, and allies
- Establish relationships with council members now
- Propose transparency policies before encryption is considered
If Your City Has Encrypted
- Document impacts on journalism and public safety
- Push for NYC-style press access legislation
- Support state-level transparency bills
- Build the evidence base for future reversal
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