How to Fight Police Radio Encryption in Your Community
Police departments don't encrypt radios in a vacuum—someone makes that decision. And where there's a decision-maker, there's an opportunity for community advocacy. This is your tactical guide to stopping encryption before it happens or reversing it if it already has.
You Have More Power Than You Think
Most encryption decisions happen quietly, without community input, because officials assume no one cares. Prove them wrong. Organized community opposition has stopped encryption in multiple cities and reversed it in others.
This guide provides the strategies, tactics, and tools you need to fight back—whether you're a concerned citizen, journalist, activist, or local leader.
Step 1: Understand the Decision-Making Process
Know who decides encryption and when you can intervene
Who Decides Whether to Encrypt?
The decision-making authority varies by jurisdiction:
Police Chief / Sheriff
Most common: Department head makes operational decision unilaterally
Your Leverage:
- Chief reports to mayor or city manager—pressure them
- Budget requires city council approval—intervene there
- Public pressure can influence chief's decision
City Council / Commission
Sometimes: Elected body votes on encryption policy or budget
Your Leverage:
- Direct electoral accountability—they answer to voters
- Public comment at meetings
- One-on-one meetings with members
- Electoral pressure (threaten their re-election)
Mayor / City Manager
Often: Executive authority approves department requests
Your Leverage:
- Electoral accountability (if mayor is elected)
- Public pressure and media attention
- Coalition letters and petitions
County Board / Commissioners
For sheriffs: County government may have oversight
Your Leverage:
- Similar to city council dynamics
- Budget control
- Policy-setting authority
Key Insight
Even if the police chief decides operationally, elected officials control the budget. Encryption systems cost hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. No budget = no encryption. This is your leverage point.
When Can You Intervene?
🟢 BEST: Before Decision
When: Department considering encryption or planning budget request
Action: Pre-emptive advocacy, education, alternative proposals
Success Rate: Highest—easier to prevent than reverse
🟡 GOOD: During Budget Process
When: Encryption funding in proposed budget
Action: Public comment, council lobbying, media pressure
Success Rate: Good—budget fights are winnable
đźź HARDER: After Approval, Before Implementation
When: Funding approved but system not yet deployed
Action: Policy advocacy, public pressure to reverse or modify
Success Rate: Moderate—officials don't like reversing decisions but it's possible
đź”´ HARDEST: After Implementation
When: Encryption already in place
Action: Long-term advocacy for reversal, hybrid system, or alternatives
Success Rate: Lower but not impossible—some communities have succeeded
Step 2: Research Your Department's Plans
Gather intelligence before you strategize
Information Gathering Tactics
đź“‹ FOIA/Public Records Requests
Request documents about encryption plans, costs, and justifications:
- "All communications about police radio encryption" (emails, memos, proposals)
- "Budget proposals for radio system upgrades"
- "Any documented incidents of scanner-related harm to officers or operations"
- "Vendor proposals and cost estimates for encrypted radio systems"
- "Policies regarding media access to police communications"
Tip: Request "no responsive records" if they claim no incidents—that admission is valuable evidence
đź“° Monitor Local News
Journalists often report on encryption plans before community knows:
- Set Google Alerts for "police encryption" + your city name
- Follow local reporters who cover police beat
- Read city council agendas for budget items
- Check department press releases and social media
🎧 Monitor Scanners Now
While you still can, document what's currently broadcast:
- Listen to understand what "sensitive" info is actually shared (probably very little)
- Record examples of public safety value (emergency alerts, traffic info)
- Note that victim names/addresses rarely broadcast (privacy claims overblown)
đź“ž Ask Directly
Sometimes simple inquiry reveals plans:
- Call police department public affairs: "Are there any plans to encrypt radio communications?"
- Ask city council members if they're aware of encryption proposals
- Contact local journalists to see if they've heard anything
🔍 Check Budget Documents
Encryption shows up in budgets before announcements:
- Review annual police budget proposals line by line
- Look for "radio system upgrade," "P25 implementation," "communications modernization"
- Note: They may not explicitly say "encryption"—look for dollar amounts in hundreds of thousands
📡 Technical Investigation
Use scanner resources to track changes:
- Check RadioReference.com for your jurisdiction—users note encryption changes
- Monitor Broadcastify—if feeds go dark, encryption may have started
- Ask in scanner forums if anyone's heard plans for your area
Red Flags That Encryption is Coming
- đźš© Budget items for "digital radio upgrade" or "P25 system"
- đźš© Department mentions "officer safety" concerns without specifics
- đźš© Sudden policy changes regarding media scanner access
- đźš© Vendor presentations to city council about radio systems
- đźš© Neighboring jurisdictions recently encrypted (often spreads regionally)
- đźš© Recent accountability incidents that embarrassed department (motive to hide)
Step 3: Build Your Coalition
You can't fight city hall alone—but a coalition can win
Who Should Be in Your Coalition?
đź“° Local Journalists & News Organizations
Why they care: Encryption destroys their ability to report breaking news
What they bring: Media coverage, professional credibility, RTDNA backing
How to recruit: Contact news directors, managing editors, reporter covering police
⚖️ Civil Liberties Organizations
Who: ACLU chapter, First Amendment Coalition, local transparency groups
What they bring: Legal expertise, established credibility, organizing experience
How to recruit: Contact state/local ACLU, cite press freedom concerns
đź‘Ą Community Organizations
Who: Neighborhood associations, racial justice groups, police accountability advocates
What they bring: Community voices, electoral pressure, diverse perspectives
How to recruit: Frame as accountability and transparency issue
đźš‘ Emergency Management Professionals
Who: CERT teams, volunteer fire/EMS, emergency managers
What they bring: Public safety credibility, technical knowledge
How to recruit: Explain loss of situational awareness for emergency response
đźš— Safety Advocates
Who: Traffic safety groups, pedestrian advocates (like Walk Bike Berkeley)
What they bring: Evidence of using scanner data for advocacy
How to recruit: Show how encryption eliminates crash data source
🎓 Academic Researchers
Who: Criminal justice professors, journalism schools, public policy experts
What they bring: Research, expert testimony, credibility
How to recruit: Pitch as research topic or expert witness opportunity
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Concerned Citizens
Who: Scanner users, parents, engaged residents
What they bring: Numbers, grassroots energy, electoral pressure
How to recruit: Social media, community meetings, petitions
đźš” Sympathetic Law Enforcement (Maybe)
Who: Retired officers, police unions (sometimes), reform-minded chiefs
What they bring: Insider credibility, counter to "anti-police" framing
How to recruit: Carefully—frame as community trust issue
Coalition-Building Tips
- Diversity matters: Broad coalition harder to dismiss as "fringe" or "anti-police"
- Assign roles: Media outreach, council lobbying, public comment, petition gathering
- Regular meetings: Weekly or biweekly to coordinate strategy
- Shared messaging: Agree on key talking points and evidence
- Avoid mission creep: Stay focused on encryption issue, don't become general police reform group
Step 4: Gather Your Evidence
Facts beat rhetoric—arm yourself with documentation
Evidence to Collect
đź“Š Evidence #1: No Harm From Scanner Access
Your goal: Prove the "problem" encryption solves doesn't exist
- FOIA: "All documented incidents where scanner access caused officer injury or operational compromise" → Expect zero
- Cite: Palo Alto 3-year search = "no responsive records"
- Cite: Broadcastify CEO statement—never received evidence of harm
- Point: Burden of proof on department to show need
🚨 Evidence #2: Public Safety Value
Your goal: Show scanner access saves lives
- Highland Park shooting: Open scanners helped people take cover
- Denver/Aurora: Missed wildfire and active shooter alerts after encryption
- Local examples: Interview residents about how they use scanner info
- Emergency managers: Get statements about situational awareness value
đź“° Evidence #3: Journalism Impact
Your goal: Document how encryption harms press freedom
- RTDNA survey: Encryption is #1 journalism concern
- Local reporters: Interview about how they use scanners for breaking news
- ABC7 Chicago quote: 30-min delay "almost useless"
- First Amendment implications: Press freedom requires access to info
⚖️ Evidence #4: Accountability Examples
Your goal: Show how scanner access exposes misconduct
- Uvalde: Radio audio contradicted official accounts
- 2020 protests: Scanners documented racist remarks
- Historical: Cases where scanner access revealed police wrongdoing
- Timing: Encryption surge after 2020 (avoiding accountability)
đź’° Evidence #5: Cost Analysis
Your goal: Show encryption is expensive with no ROI
- Implementation costs: $500K to $5M+ depending on size
- Ongoing maintenance: Annual costs for support, keys, upgrades
- Zero documented benefit (no proven safety improvement)
- Better uses for budget: More officers, body cams, community programs
âś… Evidence #6: Alternatives Exist
Your goal: Prove encryption isn't the only option
- Hybrid systems: 85-90% open, 10-15% encrypted tactical
- MDTs: Sensitive info via text, not voice radio
- Training: Officers can avoid broadcasting victim names
- Examples: Departments using hybrid systems successfully
Create Your Evidence Package
Compile everything into shareable format:
- One-pager: Summary of key facts for quick distribution
- Full report: 5-10 pages with citations for decision-makers
- Talking points: Bullet points for public comment and media
- Fact sheet: Myths vs. facts format
- Cost analysis: Specific numbers for your jurisdiction if possible
Step 5: Make Your Case
Strategies for influencing decision-makers
Advocacy Strategies
🎤 Public Comment at Meetings
When: City council meetings, police commission hearings, budget sessions
How to be effective:
- Sign up early: Public comment slots are limited
- Time limits: Usually 2-3 minutes—practice staying within time
- Lead with impact: "Encryption will endanger public safety during emergencies"
- Use evidence: Cite specific examples (Highland Park, zero harm cases)
- Personal stories: How you use scanner info ("I monitor for wildfire evacuations")
- Ask questions: "Can the chief provide documented cases of scanner-caused harm?"
- Be respectful: Hostile tone backfires; professional approach wins
Power move: Pack the meeting with coalition members wearing coordinated colors—visual impact
📧 One-on-One Meetings with Officials
Who to meet: City council members, mayor, city manager
How to schedule:
- Email council member offices directly
- Identify likely allies (progressive members, transparency advocates)
- Bring coalition representatives (journalist + community leader = credible)
Meeting agenda:
- Introduce coalition and why you're concerned
- Present evidence package (leave printed copy)
- Ask for their position on encryption
- Request specific action (vote no on budget, hold hearing, support alternatives)
- Follow up in writing with meeting summary
đź“° Media Strategy
Goal: Public pressure through news coverage
Tactics:
- Press releases: Announce coalition, respond to encryption news
- Op-eds: Submit to local newspapers (coalition members write)
- Letters to editor: Flood editorial pages with reader letters
- Press conferences: If major development, hold presser with diverse speakers
- Media availability: Make coalition members available for interviews
- Social media: Coordinate hashtag campaigns, share evidence widely
Frame it right: "Public safety threat" not "scanner hobbyist complaint"
đź“ť Petitions & Letter Campaigns
When effective: Showing breadth of opposition
How to run:
- Online petition (Change.org, local platforms) with clear ask
- Physical petition at community events, farmers markets
- Deliver signatures at city council meeting for media moment
- Pre-written letter templates citizens can send to officials
Petition language example:
"We, the undersigned residents of [City], oppose the proposed encryption of police radio communications. This policy threatens public safety by eliminating real-time emergency alerts, harms journalism, and reduces accountability—all without documented evidence of need. We call on the City Council to reject encryption funding and instead implement hybrid solutions that balance all community interests."
⚖️ Legal/Regulatory Challenges
When to consider: If other strategies fail
Potential approaches:
- Open records lawsuit: If FOIA requests denied improperly
- First Amendment challenge: Press freedom argument (requires legal backing)
- Policy violation: If encryption implemented without required process
- State sunshine law: Some states have open meeting/record laws that may apply
Partner with: ACLU, First Amendment Coalition, media law firms (may take pro bono)
🗳️ Electoral Pressure
Ultimate leverage: Threaten re-election prospects
How to apply:
- Identify officials up for re-election soon
- Make encryption a campaign issue
- Publicize their votes/positions on encryption
- Candidate forums: Ask encryption questions publicly
- Endorse opponents who support transparency
- Voter guides: Include encryption stance
Message: "Vote for encryption = vote against transparency = we vote against you"
Effective Messaging Framework
âś… DO Say:
- "Encryption endangers public safety during emergencies"
- "Zero documented cases justify this secrecy"
- "Highland Park proved scanner access saves lives"
- "Better solutions exist that protect everyone's interests"
- "Transparency builds trust—secrecy destroys it"
- "Public servants should be publicly observable"
- "Encryption eliminates independent accountability"
❌ DON'T Say:
- "I like listening to my scanner" (sounds like hobby)
- "Police have something to hide" (too accusatory)
- "I don't trust cops" (alienates moderates)
- "This is unconstitutional" (unless legal basis solid)
- Anything that sounds anti-police vs. pro-transparency
Key principle: Frame as public safety and democratic accountability issue, not anti-police activism. You want moderates and officials on your side.
Step 6: Success Stories & Lessons Learned
Learn from communities that stopped or reversed encryption
Common Lessons from Successful Advocacy
- Start early: Easier to prevent encryption than reverse it—monitor and intervene during planning stages
- Broad coalitions: Diverse groups harder to dismiss; journalists + civil rights + community = credibility
- Evidence matters: Facts beat rhetoric; "zero cases" is powerful when documented
- Local stories: National examples help, but local impact stories resonate more with officials
- Media amplification: Coverage creates public pressure officials can't ignore
- Offer solutions: Don't just oppose—present hybrid systems and alternatives
- Persistence pays: Even losses can lead to reversals if you stay organized
- Electoral pressure works: Officials care about re-election; make encryption a voting issue
Step 7: What If Encryption Already Happened?
How to fight for reversal or mitigation
Post-Implementation Advocacy
If your department already encrypted, don't give up. Here's how to advocate for change:
1. Document the Harm
Collect evidence of encryption's negative impact:
- Interview journalists about lost news coverage capability
- Find examples of emergencies where scanner alerts would have helped
- Survey community members about lost situational awareness
- FOIA for costs of encryption system vs. benefits
- Create "before and after" comparison showing what's lost
2. Demand Accountability Data
Force department to prove encryption was necessary:
- Annual FOIA: "All documented incidents of scanner-caused harm since encryption" (answer: still zero)
- Request: Total costs of encryption system to date
- Ask: What measurable safety improvements resulted from encryption?
- Demand: Transparency reports on encrypted vs. open channels
3. Propose Hybrid System
Give officials an off-ramp from full encryption:
- Present hybrid system as "compromise" that addresses all concerns
- Frame as "improvement" not "reversal" (saves face for officials)
- Show examples of successful hybrid implementations
- Offer to work with department on policy development
4. Legislative Solutions
Work at state level if local advocacy fails:
- Model legislation requiring openness by default
- Public notice requirements before encryption
- Sunset provisions forcing periodic review
- Transparency reporting mandates
5. Long-Term Pressure
Sustained advocacy can eventually win:
- Make encryption an issue in every election cycle
- Testify at every budget hearing
- Submit FOIA requests annually to document lack of justification
- Partner with new officials more receptive to transparency
- Wait for leadership change (new chief, new council) and try again
6. Mitigation If Reversal Fails
If you can't win full reversal, push for better access:
- Shorter delays (5-10 min vs. 30+ min)
- Credentialed media access program
- Transparent redaction policies (not censorship)
- Emergency override (auto-open during major incidents)
- Civilian oversight of encryption policies
Your Advocacy Toolkit
Templates, resources, and tools to get started
Ready-to-Use Resources
📧 Email Template: City Council
Subject: Concerned About Police Radio Encryption Proposal
Body:
Dear Council Member [Name],
I'm writing to express serious concerns about [Police Department]'s proposal to encrypt radio communications. While I understand the stated goals of officer safety and privacy, the evidence shows encryption poses greater risks than benefits:
Public Safety Concern: During the Highland Park mass shooting, open scanner access helped residents take cover and avoid danger in real time. Encryption eliminates this life-saving function with no replacement alert system.
Lack of Evidence: Multiple police departments, including Palo Alto, have searched their records and found zero documented cases of scanner access causing officer harm. The problem encryption supposedly solves doesn't exist.
Better Solutions: Hybrid radio systems encrypt tactical operations while keeping routine dispatch open, serving all interests without blanket secrecy.
I urge you to reject encryption funding and instead support transparent policing that builds community trust. I'm happy to provide additional information or meet to discuss this issue.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
🎤 Public Comment Script (2 minutes)
"My name is [Name] and I'm a [resident/journalist/community organizer] opposed to police radio encryption.
On July 4, 2022, during the Highland Park mass shooting, open police scanners helped people take cover, avoid danger zones, and find loved ones. That real-time information saved lives.
Encryption would eliminate this public safety function. And for what? When Palo Alto searched three years of records for incidents where scanner access harmed officers, they found zero cases. The problem doesn't exist.
Better solutions exist. Hybrid systems encrypt tactical operations while keeping routine dispatch open—protecting both police needs and community safety.
I ask the council: Reject this encryption proposal. Demand evidence of actual harm, not theoretical concerns. Support alternatives that serve all our community's interests.
Thank you."
đź“‹ FOIA Request Template
Subject: Public Records Request - Police Radio Encryption
Under [State] public records law, I request the following documents:
- All communications (emails, memos, reports) regarding police radio encryption or radio system upgrades from [Date] to present
- Any documented incidents where public scanner access caused officer injury, operational compromise, or victim harm from [Date] to present
- Budget proposals, vendor quotes, and cost estimates for radio encryption systems
- Policies regarding media or public access to police communications
- Any studies, reports, or analyses regarding the impact of radio encryption
Please provide responsive records in electronic format. If any records are withheld, please cite the specific exemption claimed.
📱 Social Media Messaging
Twitter/X (280 chars):
"🚨 [City] wants to encrypt police radios, eliminating real-time emergency alerts that save lives. Highland Park proved scanner access matters. Zero evidence supports encryption. Tell @[CityCouncil] to reject this dangerous policy. #KeepScannersOpen"
Facebook Post:
"[City] police want to encrypt radio communications. This would eliminate the real-time emergency alerts that helped people survive the Highland Park shooting. When departments are asked for evidence that scanner access harms officers, they have ZERO documented cases. We can protect police operations AND community safety with hybrid systems. Join us in demanding transparency. [Link to petition/meeting info]"
Additional Resources
- RTDNA Resources: Radio Television Digital News Association materials on encryption
- ACLU: Contact your state chapter about police transparency issues
- First Amendment Coalition: Legal resources and advocacy support
- RadioReference.com: Technical info and community of scanner users
- Broadcastify: Scanner streaming platform, community forums
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
See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.
View CasesSpread Awareness
Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.
Public Testimony
Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.
Prepare to Speak