Reporters Fight Police Radio Encryption Plan

Members of the District of Columbia press corps have been meeting with police officials to raise their objections to the encryption of the district’s police radio communications to prevent criminals from using smartphone apps and scanners to intercept even routine officer communications. News directors of TV and radio stations, the Associated Press and The Washington Post said they can no longer listen to even non-sensitive communications after the DC police began encrypting radio channels on Sept. 15th. Police communications director Gwendolyn Crump saw members of the press can now sign up to received page when “serious crimes” occur. However, the media representatives say those don’t provide the same information required for a proper press oversight of the police department’s response and officer behavior. The press representatives also pointed out that officers previously had the ability to encrypt sensitive communications at any time. Tom Sherwood of NBC4 said open communications also benefit the public who listen to police communications using scanners. Read more about the situation here.