FOR JOURNALISTS

Covering Police Encryption

Story Angles, Interview Questions, and Workflow Tactics

RTDNA ranked police encryption as the #1 threat to journalism in 2020. This guide helps you investigate encryption decisions, challenge official justifications, and adapt when departments go dark.

Story Angle Database

Proven angles that produce impactful coverage

INVESTIGATION

The Cost Investigation

The story: How much is your city spending on encryption? What alternatives were considered? What's the documented return on investment?

Key documents:

  • Budget line items for radio/communications
  • Vendor proposals and contracts
  • Cost-benefit analyses (if they exist)
  • Maintenance and ongoing cost projections

Sample headline: "[CITY] Spending $X Million on Radio Encryption—With Zero Documented Benefit"

FACT-CHECK

The Officer Safety Claim

The story: Police claim encryption protects officers from scanner-monitoring criminals. What's the evidence? (Spoiler: There is none.)

Key approach:

  • File FOIA for documented scanner-related officer harm
  • Reference Palo Alto's 3-year search finding zero cases
  • Ask: "Can you cite one specific incident?"
  • Compare to documented harms from encryption

Sample headline: "Police Say Scanners Endanger Officers. Records Show Zero Documented Cases."

FEATURE

The Interoperability Crisis

The story: When police encrypt, fire and EMS lose situational awareness. What do local fire chiefs think?

Key sources:

  • Fire chiefs and EMS directors
  • Firefighter unions
  • Emergency management coordinators
  • Mutual aid partners

Sample headline: "Fire Chiefs Sound Alarm: Police Encryption Creates 'Dangerous' Communication Gaps"

HUMAN INTEREST

The Community Impact

The story: Who uses police scanners in your community? Parents during school lockdowns? Volunteer firefighters? People with disabilities?

Key sources:

  • Parents who've monitored during emergencies
  • Volunteer fire departments
  • Neighborhood watch coordinators
  • Disability advocacy groups

Sample headline: "Parents Relied on Scanners During School Lockdown. Now They'll Be in the Dark."

PROCESS

The Decision Investigation

The story: How was the encryption decision made? Was there public input? What alternatives were considered?

Key documents:

  • Internal emails about encryption decision
  • Meeting minutes where encryption was discussed
  • Public comment records (or lack thereof)
  • Alternative proposals considered

Sample headline: "No Public Hearing, No Alternatives Considered: Inside [CITY]'s Encryption Decision"

COMPARISON

The Alternative Model

The story: Other departments protect sensitive info without blanket encryption. Why isn't your department considering those options?

Key examples:

  • California Highway Patrol (badge numbers, not names)
  • Hybrid systems (encrypt tactical, keep dispatch open)
  • Brief delays for sensitive info only
  • Palo Alto's reversal to hybrid model

Sample headline: "[CITY] Chose Secrecy. Here's What Departments That Protected Transparency Did Instead."

Interview Questions for Officials

Questions that get past talking points

For Police Chiefs

  1. "Can you cite a specific documented case where scanner access harmed an officer in this jurisdiction?"
  2. "When Palo Alto searched three years of records, they found zero cases. What evidence do you have that our situation is different?"
  3. "What alternatives to blanket encryption were considered, and why were they rejected?"
  4. "How will fire and EMS maintain situational awareness at multi-agency incidents?"
  5. "What's the total 5-year cost including equipment, licensing, and maintenance?"
  6. "How will journalists covering breaking news get information previously available via scanner?"
  7. "Was there a public hearing before this decision? If not, why not?"

For Mayors/City Managers

  1. "Were you presented with alternatives to blanket encryption? What were they?"
  2. "What's the documented return on investment for this $X million expenditure?"
  3. "How do you respond to fire chiefs who say encryption creates interoperability problems?"
  4. "Will you commit to a public hearing before implementation?"
  5. "What accountability mechanisms exist after encryption is implemented?"
  6. "How does this align with your stated commitments to transparency?"

For Council Members

  1. "Did you vote on this, or was it an administrative decision?"
  2. "What evidence were you presented that justified the cost?"
  3. "Have you heard from constituents who use scanners during emergencies?"
  4. "Would you support a public hearing before implementation?"
  5. "What's your position on media access provisions in the encryption policy?"
  6. "Are you aware that RTDNA ranked encryption as the #1 threat to journalism?"

Follow-Up Questions

When they deflect, push back:

  • If they cite "officer safety": "What specific documented incidents support that claim?"
  • If they cite "other departments": "Many departments explicitly rejected encryption. Why follow the ones that encrypted?"
  • If they cite "privacy": "Training and policy already protect privacy. Why is blanket encryption necessary?"
  • If they say "it's standard": "So is public access. What changed that requires abandoning 50+ years of transparency?"

Fact-Checking Resources

Verify claims and find authoritative sources

Official Guidance

  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency)

    Federal guidance on public safety communications. Does NOT recommend blanket encryption.

  • SAFECOM

    Federal interoperability guidance. Emphasizes cross-agency coordination.

  • FCC Regulations

    No federal requirement for encryption. It's a local choice.

Professional Organizations

  • RTDNA (Radio Television Digital News Association)

    Position statement opposing encryption. Ranked it #1 threat in 2020.

  • Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

    Legal resources and press freedom advocacy.

  • NAACP

    Position statement: encryption is "another brick in the wall" of police secrecy.

Case Documentation

  • Highland Park (2022)

    Documented case where open scanners helped civilians during mass shooting.

  • Palo Alto (2022-2024)

    FOIA found zero scanner-related officer harm. Encryption reversed.

  • Denver Post-Encryption

    Documented missed alerts during wildfires and emergencies.

Expert Sources

  • ACLU (Local Chapters)

    Civil liberties perspective, often involved in encryption debates.

  • State Press Associations

    Local journalism advocacy, often track encryption issues.

  • Fire Chief Associations

    Interoperability concerns from first responder perspective.

Breaking News During Encryption

Adapting your workflow when scanners go dark

The Hard Truth

There is no replacement for real-time scanner access. Encrypted departments fundamentally change how breaking news works. Here's how to adapt—but know that coverage will be slower and less complete.

Alternative Information Sources

  • Social media monitoring: Twitter/X, Nextdoor, Facebook groups for eyewitness reports
  • Citizen app: Crowdsourced incident reports (verify before using)
  • Fire/EMS scanners: Often remain unencrypted, provide partial picture
  • Traffic cameras: Some cities have public feeds
  • Helicopter traffic reporters: Often monitor and share

Source Development

  • PIO relationships: More important than ever, but they control the message
  • Fire/EMS contacts: Often more willing to share scene info
  • Neighborhood sources: People who live near frequent incident areas
  • Stringer networks: Build relationships with people who can get to scenes

Verification Tactics

  • Cross-reference social media with official PIO statements
  • Confirm location details through multiple sources
  • Be explicit about what you don't know
  • Label unverified information clearly
  • Update stories as official information becomes available

Newsroom Advocacy

  • Document delays caused by encryption for future stories
  • Track incidents where public safety information was delayed
  • Push for media access provisions in encryption policies
  • Coordinate with other outlets on advocacy
  • Editorial board engagement on transparency

Professional Resources

Organizations supporting press access

RTDNA

Radio Television Digital News Association - Position statements and advocacy resources

Reporters Committee

Legal resources, attorney referrals, and press freedom advocacy

ACLU

Local chapters often involved in encryption transparency fights

SPJ

Society of Professional Journalists - Ethics resources and advocacy

Related Resources

❌

Myths vs Facts

Fact-check common claims with documented evidence

 🚨

Emergency Response

When encryption is suddenly announced - breaking news workflow

 📋

Case Studies

Highland Park, Chicago, Denver - documented impacts

 🏛️

Elected Officials Briefing

How to frame questions for council members and mayors

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 Started
📚

Read Case Studies

See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.

View Cases
📢

Spread Awareness

Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.

📊

See the Evidence

Review the facts, myths, and research on police radio encryption.

View Evidence
🎤

Public Testimony

Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.

Prepare to Speak
📥

Download Resources

Get FOIA templates, talking points, and materials for advocacy.

Access Toolkit