NYPD Radio Encryption: $390 Million to Hide Police Communications
For 92 years, New Yorkers could monitor NYPD radio communications. Journalists used scanners to expose police misconduct, including the killing of Eric Garner. Now, the department is spending $390 million to make those communications secret—despite City Council opposition and civil liberties warnings.
Key Facts at a Glance
Breaking a 92-Year Tradition
Since the NYPD began using radios to communicate in 1932, New Yorkers have had the ability to monitor police activity. For nearly a century, this transparency served as a check on police power, enabled real-time journalism, and helped communities stay informed about public safety.
In 2023, the NYPD began quietly transitioning to digitally encrypted radio transmissions. By late 2024, the transition was complete—ending public access to one of the world's largest police departments.
"By encrypting its radio communications, the NYPD is breaking with an almost century-old practice of allowing the press and the public to access information about critical developments in their communities."
— Daniel Schwarz, NYCLU Senior Privacy and Technology StrategistThe Eric Garner Connection
On July 17, 2014, Daily News photographer Ken Murray was monitoring police radios when he picked up cryptic transmissions from Staten Island. Following the scanner traffic, he arrived at the scene where NYPD officers had killed Eric Garner using a chokehold.
At that scene, Murray located witness Ramsey Orta, who had recorded the incident on his phone. That video—showing Garner saying "I can't breathe" 11 times before dying—became one of the most consequential pieces of police accountability footage in American history.
The Scanner Made It Possible
Without public scanner access, Murray would never have known about the incident until hours later—potentially after the NYPD had located and suppressed the video. The scanner allowed a journalist to reach the scene in time to preserve evidence of police misconduct that sparked nationwide protests and policy changes.
Critics argue this is precisely why the NYPD wants encryption—not to protect operations, but to control the narrative and prevent similar accountability moments.
The $390 Million Question
At a New York City Council meeting, NYPD Chief of Information Technology Ruben Beltran announced the upgrade would cost $390 million, replacing the old analog radio network with a fully encrypted digital system.
NYPD's Justifications
"Bad actors have used our radios against us"
The NYPD claims some people have fled officers by monitoring police channels to anticipate their movements.
Frequency hijacking
Others have allegedly broken into police radio systems to disrupt communications with music or their own voice.
"Ambulance chasers"
Attorneys and tow truck companies supposedly follow scanner traffic to arrive at accident scenes.
What the Evidence Shows
These justifications don't withstand scrutiny. For 92 years of public access:
- Zero documented cases of major crimes enabled by scanner access
- Frequency hijacking is already illegal and can be addressed without full encryption
- "Ambulance chasing" is a civil matter, not a public safety justification for secrecy
- The real pattern: encryption accelerated after 2020 police accountability protests
Impact on Journalism
The loss of scanner access has crippled journalists' ability to independently report news to the public without relying on NYPD press releases.
Photojournalists Hit Hardest
While reporters may piece together stories after the fact, photojournalists can never travel back in time to capture images they weren't there to shoot. Without scanners, breaking news photography in New York City becomes dependent on NYPD notifications.
Special Operations Feed Lost
In January 2025, NYC journalists lost access to the vital NYPD "Special Operations" radio feed, further endangering breaking news efforts during critical incidents.
Police Control the Narrative
With encrypted communications, the NYPD now controls what information is released and when—exactly what transparency advocates warned about.
"The NYPD began encrypting precinct channels more than a year ago, and journalists have already lost real-time access in multiple parts of the city. Any further delay in implementing a clear, enforceable access policy simply prolongs a situation where the public is less informed and accountability is diminished."
— Mickey Osterreicher, National Press Photographers AssociationThe Legislative Battle
City Council Acts
In December 2025, the New York City Council passed Bill 1460-2025 by a vote of 41-7, sponsored by Manhattan Council Member Gale Brewer. The bill mandates that the NYPD develop a policy ensuring certain police radio communications are made available in real-time to credentialed journalists, excluding sensitive information.
Governor Hochul's Veto
Just one day after the City Council vote, Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a state bill that would have granted press members across New York State real-time access to encrypted police radio transmissions.
The state "Keep Police Radio Public Act," introduced by Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, would have required all law enforcement agencies—including the NYPD—to preserve access to their radio communications for the press, volunteer first responders, and members of the public.
NYPD begins quietly encrypting precinct channels in Brooklyn
Full encryption rollout completed, ending 92 years of public access
Journalists lose access to Special Operations radio feed
City Council passes press access bill 41-7; Hochul vetoes state bill
Civil Liberties Response
Multiple civil liberties and press freedom organizations have condemned the NYPD's encryption:
NYCLU
Called encryption a break with "an almost century-old practice" essential to community information access.
National Press Photographers Association
Warned that "the public is less informed and accountability is diminished."
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams
"Again and again, this administration shows they are not committed to transparency."
"They claim this is about public safety, but transparency is absolutely essential to public safety and law enforcement."
— Public Advocate Jumaane WilliamsThe Pattern: Post-2020 Accountability Evasion
The timing of NYPD's encryption push is significant. The post-2020 surge in police radio encryption came after heightened scrutiny of misconduct captured live on scanners during George Floyd protests.
Observers believe this is exactly why some departments began encrypting routine channels—to avoid accountability, not because of proven safety threats. Open radio channels during the 2020 protests:
- Documented racist remarks by officers over the airwaves
- Exposed real-time coordination of crowd control tactics
- Allowed journalists to independently verify police claims
- Provided evidence for subsequent misconduct investigations
By encrypting all communications, the NYPD ensures such accountability moments become impossible.
What New Yorkers Can Do
Support Local Legislation
Contact your City Council member to support full implementation of Bill 1460-2025 requiring press access to police communications.
Demand State Action
Urge state legislators to override Governor Hochul's veto or pass new transparency legislation.
Support Press Freedom Organizations
Organizations like the National Press Photographers Association and NYCLU are fighting for public access.
Stay Informed
Follow local news outlets covering police transparency issues and share information about the impacts of encryption.
Sources
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