Scanner Access Endangers Victim Privacy
This claim is not supported by evidence.
The Claim
Open scanners broadcast sensitive victim information—names, addresses, medical details—that should remain private. Encryption is necessary to protect victims.
The Evidence
Hybrid systems solve this without blanket encryption.
- Victim names and sensitive details are typically transmitted via Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), not radio
- Officers are trained to use codes or generic descriptions on radio ('victim,' 'complainant,' 'individual') rather than broadcasting names
- Tactical or sensitive channels can be encrypted while routine dispatch remains open
- Temporary encryption can be activated for specific incidents (domestic violence, sexual assault) without encrypting everything
The Reality
Victim privacy is a legitimate concern—but blanket encryption is like burning down your house to kill a spider. Proportional solutions exist:
- Officer training: Teach proper radio protocol to avoid broadcasting identifying information
- Code systems: Use numeric codes for sensitive incident types
- Secondary channels: Switch to encrypted channels only when needed for specific incidents
- MDT usage: Send sensitive information via text-based systems, not voice radio
Many police departments have successfully protected victim privacy for decades without encryption. The ones that didn't were failing to follow basic radio protocols—a training issue, not a technology issue.
Bottom Line
When police departments make this claim, ask them for evidence. The documented facts don't support it.
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