Police Encryption in Massachusetts
Massachusetts was ahead of the national curve on police encryption—and not in a good way. Boston Police encrypted in 2016, and Massachusetts State Police even earlier in 2014. The cradle of American liberty now operates some of the most opaque police communications in the nation.
Massachusetts at a Glance
Massachusetts stands out as an early encryption adopter. While many states began encrypting after 2020, Massachusetts State Police went dark in 2014 and Boston PD followed in 2016. This head start means Bay State residents have lived without scanner access longer than most Americans.
The Greater Boston area—home to over 4.8 million people—is largely encrypted. Cambridge, the MBTA Transit Police, and Suffolk County have all followed Boston's lead. Outside the metro, results are mixed: Worcester and Springfield have partial encryption, while Cape Cod and some rural areas remain open.
Boston: Early Encryption Pioneer
2016: Going Dark
Boston Police Department completed full encryption in 2016, years before most major American cities. The department cited officer safety and operational security. The Boston Globe and local TV stations protested the loss of scanner access that had been a staple of Boston journalism for generations.
The decision came before the 2020 protests that accelerated encryption nationally. Boston was already dark when other cities began debating the issue—providing a preview of the transparency challenges that would spread nationwide.
Impact on Boston Media
The Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and local broadcast stations have operated without real-time scanner access for nearly a decade. Journalists describe a fundamental shift in breaking news coverage— from proactive monitoring to reactive reliance on police notifications.
Major events from the 2019 Straight Pride Parade protests to various crime incidents have been covered without the scanner access that journalists elsewhere still enjoy. Boston's experience foreshadowed the challenges other cities would face.
Major Massachusetts Agencies
| Agency | Status | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Police Department | Encrypted | 650K | Fully encrypted since 2016; one of first major cities |
| Massachusetts State Police | Encrypted | Statewide | Fully encrypted statewide operations |
| Worcester Police Department | Partial | 205K | Central MA city; partial encryption |
| Springfield Police Department | Partial | 155K | Western MA; partial encryption under DOJ oversight |
| Cambridge Police Department | Encrypted | 120K | Harvard/MIT city; fully encrypted |
| Lowell Police Department | Partial | 115K | Merrimack Valley; mixed status |
| MBTA Transit Police | Encrypted | Regional | Transit system; encrypted operations |
| Suffolk County Sheriff | Encrypted | 800K | Boston metro county; encrypted |
| Middlesex County Sheriff | Partial | 1.6M | Largest county; mixed encryption |
| Cape Cod Regional | Open | 215K | Barnstable County; largely open |
Regional Analysis
Greater Boston
The Boston metro area is one of the most encrypted regions in the country. Boston PD, Cambridge, Somerville, and surrounding communities have followed the encryption trend. Transit Police coverage of the MBTA is also encrypted.
- Boston PD: Encrypted since 2016
- Cambridge PD: Encrypted
- MBTA Transit Police: Encrypted
- Suffolk County: Encrypted
Central Massachusetts
Worcester and surrounding communities have taken varied approaches. Worcester PD has partial encryption while many smaller communities maintain open communications. The region serves as a transition zone between encrypted Boston and more open Western MA.
- Worcester PD: Partial encryption
- Fitchburg: Mixed status
- Leominster: Mostly open
- Smaller towns: Generally open
Western Massachusetts
Springfield, operating under DOJ oversight following a pattern-and- practice investigation, has partial encryption. The Pioneer Valley and Berkshires have more mixed approaches, with many smaller departments remaining open.
- Springfield PD: Partial (DOJ oversight)
- Holyoke: Partial
- Northampton: Mostly open
- Berkshire County: Mixed
Cape Cod & Islands
Barnstable County and the Cape Cod region have maintained more open communications. Tourism-dependent communities value public information access, and smaller department budgets limit encryption adoption.
- Barnstable PD: Open
- Yarmouth: Open
- Martha's Vineyard: Mostly open
- Nantucket: Open
Massachusetts Encryption Timeline
Massachusetts State Police Encrypts
State Police becomes one of the first major state agencies nationally to fully encrypt operations. Coverage of highway incidents and state-level law enforcement goes dark early.
Boston Police Department Completes Encryption
BPD becomes one of the first major city departments to fully encrypt, years before the national trend accelerates. Boston media loses real-time access that had existed for generations.
Regional Expansion
MBTA Transit Police and Cambridge PD follow Boston's lead. The academic corridor—home to Harvard, MIT, and dozens of colleges—goes encrypted.
Suburban and Gateway Cities
Worcester, Lowell, Springfield, and other "gateway cities" implement partial encryption. The national encryption wave following George Floyd protests accelerates existing trends.
Established Pattern
Massachusetts has lived with extensive encryption longer than most states. The impacts on journalism, accountability, and public information are well-documented—and largely negative.
Impact on Massachusetts Communities
Boston Journalism
The Boston Globe and local media have operated without scanner access for nearly a decade. Journalists describe a permanent shift in how breaking news is covered. Boston's experience shows what other cities can expect long-term from encryption.
Higher Education
With over 100 colleges and universities, Massachusetts has a unique campus safety dimension. Parents and students who once monitored scanners during incidents now rely entirely on institutional notifications—controlled by the institutions themselves.
Boston Marathon
The 2013 Boston Marathon bombing was covered in part through scanner access. Future incidents of similar magnitude would be covered entirely through official channels, with the public unable to independently monitor police response.
Springfield DOJ Oversight
Springfield PD operates under DOJ oversight for civil rights violations. Yet like Minneapolis, the department maintains partial encryption—limiting the community oversight that could help verify reform compliance.
What Bay Staters Can Do
Support State Legislation
Massachusetts has strong open government traditions but no law protecting scanner access. Contact your state representative and senator on Beacon Hill to support transparency legislation for police communications.
Document Long-Term Impact
Massachusetts provides a preview of long-term encryption effects. If you've been impacted—as a journalist, community organizer, or resident—document your experience. These stories help other states understand what's at stake.
Recognize Open Communities
Cape Cod and other areas that remain open deserve recognition. Support transparency-friendly local officials and publicly acknowledge departments that maintain public access despite regional trends.
Connect with Press Freedom Groups
New England press associations and the ACLU of Massachusetts advocate for transparency. Connect with these organizations to support ongoing efforts to restore or protect scanner access where possible.