Seattle Police Scanner Deep Dive: Partial Encryption Shows a Better Path
Most major American cities that have upgraded their radio systems have used the opportunity to go fully dark. Seattle hasn't. SPD committed to keeping main dispatch channels open even as it expands tactical encryption through the $300 million PSERN system in 2026. That decision is worth examining — both for what it gets right and what it leaves unresolved.
What Seattle listeners can actually monitor on PSERN
Seattle's compromise is better than a blackout, but tactical channels are still encrypted and PSERN's framework leaves the door open for more. If you want to hear SPD's still-open dispatch plus the adjacent federal, aviation, and amateur layers, this is the gear that works across King County.
What Seattle keeps open vs. what it encrypts
The division isn't perfect, but it proves full encryption isn't the only option. The public can track what's happening and where, even without access to tactical operations.
PSERN: the $300 million radio upgrade
PSERN replaced King County's analog dispatch infrastructure, which dated to 1990. The $300 million system went live in 2023, giving all participating agencies digital radio capabilities — including the option to encrypt.
Voter-approved funding (2015)
King County voters approved a property tax levy to fund PSERN. The system was designed to replace the analog dispatch infrastructure in place since 1990.
System goes live (2023)
PSERN began operations in 2023, providing county public safety agencies with digital radio capabilities. Annual operating costs run approximately $10 million.
Individual agency choice
PSERN enables encryption but doesn't require it. Each agency—Seattle PD, King County Sheriff, local fire departments—decides their own encryption policy.
Enhanced encryption (Q2 2026)
Seattle PD and Seattle Fire will enhance encryption in Q2 2026. Tactical channels will be encrypted; dispatch remains open. This represents enhanced—not total—encryption.
The technology doesn't require full encryption
Mike Webb, PSERN's executive director, said "it will be up to the individual agencies" whether to encrypt. Seattle chose partial encryption. Chicago and other cities running comparable digital systems chose to go fully dark. Same technology, different decisions.
The 2020 fake radio scandal
In January 2022, the Seattle Office of Police Accountability published findings from a 2020 protest investigation. Officers had broadcast fabricated radio transmissions about threats that didn't exist.
What officers broadcast
Officers transmitted fake reports about "Proud Boys" gathering near City Hall, including claims that "it looks like a few of them might be open carrying." The transmissions were completely fabricated.
Real-world impact
People monitoring police scanners spread social media warnings about the fabricated threat. The OPA found the ruse "improperly added fuel to the fire" during already tense protests.
Approved misinformation
The fake radio chatter was part of an "approved misinformation effort" that police leaders knew about. This wasn't rogue officers—it was department policy.
Accountability implications
The incident raises serious questions: if police can broadcast false information on scanners, how can the public trust what they hear? The case demonstrates both the value and vulnerabilities of scanner access.
The fake radio incident is not an argument for encryption. If department leadership approved deliberate misinformation over open channels, removing public access to those channels makes accountability harder to achieve, not easier.
The 2020 CHOP zone
The Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP), originally called the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), created weeks of sustained pressure on SPD and exposed how public scanner access shapes media coverage and public understanding of police actions.
King County agencies
The PSERN system covers King County's diverse law enforcement landscape. Here's the current and planned encryption status:
| Agency | Current Status | 2026 Plans | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Police Department | Partial | Dispatch stays open | Enhancing tactical encryption Q2 2026 |
| King County Sheriff | Partial | Dispatch stays open | County's largest unincorporated coverage |
| Washington State Patrol | Encrypted | Remains encrypted | Statewide encryption since 2020 |
| Seattle Fire Department | Partial | Dispatch stays open | Patient info encrypted for HIPAA |
| Bellevue Police | Partial | Agency discretion | Tech corridor suburb; partial now |
| Kent Police | Partial | Agency discretion | South King County |
| Renton Police | Partial | Agency discretion | Southeast King County |
| King County Metro Transit | Partial | TBD | Transit system security |
What SPD has said publicly
Seattle has put its position on record, which is itself unusual. Most departments that expand encryption don't explain why they're keeping anything open.
"It is our value of transparency that is keeping the standard dispatch channels open."
— Seattle police spokesperson Sgt. Patrick Michaud Public disclosure
Members of the public and media can file public disclosure requests via the City's online portal to obtain encrypted radio communications after the fact.
Privacy protection as the stated reason
SPD frames encryption as protecting the public's sensitive information—Social Security numbers, dates of birth, medical details—from broadcast on open airwaves.
Dispatch channels remain open
Initial dispatch calls for service across all precincts will continue to be publicly accessible. The public will know what's happening and where.
Who benefits from open dispatch
Local news media
Seattle's major outlets—KING 5, KOMO, The Seattle Times—can continue monitoring dispatch for breaking news. Tactical operations details require public records requests.
Police accountability groups
Organizations monitoring police conduct retain access to dispatch information. They can track where incidents occur and initial response, though tactical details are encrypted.
Emergency awareness
Residents can still monitor scanner feeds to know about active incidents in their neighborhoods. During emergencies, dispatch broadcasts provide real-time awareness.
Tech community
Seattle's tech-savvy population includes many scanner enthusiasts. Platforms like OpenMHz maintain PSERN feeds. The tech community appreciates the transparency commitment.
Capitol Hill residents
After the 2020 CHOP experience, Capitol Hill residents value scanner access. The neighborhood experienced the consequences of police communication breakdowns firsthand.
Adjacent counties
Pierce County (Tacoma) and Snohomish County are implementing similar partial encryption approaches, following Seattle's model rather than going fully dark.
Seattle vs. Chicago
Seattle (Partial Encryption)
- Dispatch channels remain open
- Public knows about incidents in real-time
- Tactical channels encrypted for officer safety
- Public records access for encrypted content
- Explicit transparency commitment
Chicago (Full Encryption + Delay)
- 30-minute mandatory delay
- Active content censorship
- No real-time public access
- Transmissions removed before release
- Most restrictive major city
Seattle and Chicago both run large digital radio systems. The difference in public access is a policy choice, not a technological constraint.
What Seattle-area residents can do
- Tell Seattle PD and City Council you want dispatch channels to stay open. Departments are more likely to hold the line when they hear from people who are paying attention.
- Watch for encryption scope creep beyond tactical channels. City Council meetings and PSERN implementation documents are where these decisions get made before they're announced publicly.
- Smaller King County cities are making encryption decisions right now. Advocate for the Seattle model before those decisions get locked in.
- Broadcastify and OpenMHz carry Seattle feeds. Use them regularly — active listeners create a record of public use that matters in policy debates.
- Washington's public records laws cover encrypted radio recordings. Request them when they're relevant to incidents you're researching.
- When open dispatch enables meaningful news coverage or situational awareness, note the specific examples. Concrete cases are more persuasive than general arguments.
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
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Public Testimony
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Prepare to SpeakRelated resources
Sources & Further Reading
- SPD Blotter: "Seattle Police to enhance encryption to radios in early 2026"
- The Seattle Times: "King County's police and fire agencies prepare to encrypt their radios"
- Capitol Hill Seattle News: "Seattle Police Department radio will 'enhance encryption' in 2026"
- KNKX Public Radio: "Seattle police faked right-wing radio talk during Capitol Hill protest"
- Seattle Office of Police Accountability: 2020 protests investigation findings
- PSERN (Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network) official documentation
- HistoryLink.org: "Capitol Hill Organized Protest" historical entry
- The Spokesman-Review: King County encryption reporting