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Fighting Police Radio Encryption
What to know, what to ask, and what to do about it
The issue at a glance
Police departments across the country are encrypting their radio communications, cutting off a tool journalists have used for over a century to cover breaking news and monitor police conduct. The encryption surge accelerated after the 2020 protests, with departments citing officer safety as the reason — despite no documented evidence that scanner access has ever harmed an officer.
What encryption does to your coverage
Slower breaking news
Without scanners, journalists wait for official press releases — often 30-60 minutes after an incident begins. During the Highland Park parade shooting, scanner-equipped journalists broke the story more than 20 minutes before outlets in encrypted areas.
No independent verification
Scanners let journalists hear police communications directly, which makes it possible to catch discrepancies between what happened and what the department later says happened. Encryption removes that check entirely.
Community information gaps
Many residents rely on scanner feeds to track emergencies near their homes. When departments encrypt, those residents — often in lower-income areas without robust media coverage — lose access first.
Press freedom questions
No court has ruled that scanner access is a constitutional right, but systematically blocking the press from public safety information raises concerns that courts may eventually have to address.
Talking points
In over 100 years of open police radio, there are no documented cases where scanner access led to officer harm. The argument is theoretical, not evidence-based.
Departments spend $500,000 to $50+ million on encryption infrastructure. No jurisdiction has demonstrated a public safety return on that investment.
Tactical channels for sensitive operations, delayed public feeds, and redaction protocols can protect specific legitimate needs without encrypting everything.
Emergency services commanders have testified publicly against police encryption, citing interoperability problems and slower situational awareness during multi-agency responses.
Encryption requests surged immediately after the 2020 protests — at the moment police conduct was facing the most public scrutiny in decades.
Responding to pushback
FOIA request template
Use this to request records about encryption decisions. Fill in the bracketed sections for your state's public records law.
Subject: Public Records Request - Police Radio Encryption
Pursuant to [STATE PUBLIC RECORDS LAW], I request the following records related to [DEPARTMENT NAME]'s radio communication encryption:
- Any internal memos, reports, or communications discussing the decision to encrypt police radio communications
- Cost analyses, budget documents, or vendor quotes related to encryption equipment and implementation
- Any documented incidents where scanner access contributed to officer safety concerns
- Policies or procedures regarding media access to radio communications
- Any public comments or testimony received regarding the encryption decision
- Communications with other agencies or organizations (SPP, APCO, etc.) regarding encryption best practices
I request electronic copies where available. If any records are withheld, please cite the specific exemption and provide a Vaughn index.
Please respond within [STATUTORY TIMEFRAME] as required by [STATE LAW].
Action steps
Request the decision documents, cost analyses, and any evidence the department cited to justify encryption.
Speak during public comment on encryption-related agenda items. Bring colleagues if you can.
Press associations can coordinate coalition responses, draft letters to officials, and help fund legal challenges.
Keep records of stories delayed, missed, or compromised by encryption. That documentation matters when making the case to editors, lawyers, and legislators.
Op-eds and editorials help the public understand what they lose when police radio goes dark — and often prompt officials to act.
Delayed feeds, media credentialing programs, and tactical-only encryption have worked in other cities. Offering a realistic alternative is often more effective than opposing encryption outright.