Myth #5

Are Police Scanners Illegal?

This claim is not supported by evidence.

The Claim

Many people wonder if owning or listening to police scanners is illegal, or if encryption is being implemented because scanner use violates the law.

The Evidence

Police scanners are completely legal in the United States.

  • Federal law: It is 100% legal to own and operate a police scanner receiver
  • Listening is legal: You can listen to any unencrypted radio transmission on public airwaves
  • Limited restrictions: You cannot use scanner information to commit crimes or interfere with police operations (but this has never been documented as an actual problem)
  • No licensing required: Unlike ham radio transmission, scanner listening requires no license or registration

The Reality

Police scanners have been legal and widely used for decades by:

  • Journalists: Essential tool for breaking news coverage
  • Emergency managers: Situational awareness during disasters
  • Community members: Understanding police activity in their neighborhoods
  • Researchers: Studying crime patterns, traffic safety, and emergency response
  • Hobbyists: Radio enthusiasts monitoring public safety communications

Encryption isn't being implemented because scanners are illegal—they're not. It's being implemented because police departments want to control information and avoid the accountability that comes with public oversight.

Bottom Line

When police departments make this claim, ask them for evidence. The documented facts don't support it.

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See the Evidence

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