Police scanner encryption spreading across metro Detroit, raising public concern over transparency

Metro Detroit independent journalists talks about possible options.

DETROIT — Police agencies across metro Detroit are moving to encrypt radio communications, a shift that is raising concerns among journalists, residents and public safety watchers who say it could limit access to information during emergencies.

Encryption has already taken effect in Oakland County, and departments in Wayne and Macomb counties are expected to follow, according to an interview with Abe who is an independent journalist from Metro Detroit News.

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“Basically it’s going to be in all three counties,” the Abe said, adding that Wayne County agencies could switch as soon as late spring or summer.

Under encryption, radio traffic that can currently be monitored on scanners becomes unintelligible to the public. “You won’t be able to listen to what they’re saying anymore,” he said.

Safety and privacy concerns cited

Law enforcement agencies often point to officer safety and personal privacy as reasons for encrypting communications. Abe acknowledged those arguments but said reporters generally avoid broadcasting sensitive tactical details.

“We’re not here to obviously compromise what police are doing. We’re just here to report the news so people can be aware of what’s going on,” he said.

He added that departments frequently already have secondary channels they can secure during critical incidents, allowing routine communications to remain accessible.

Cost and rollout

Implementing encryption can require significant upgrades to radios and infrastructure, sometimes costing hundreds of thousands of dollars for agencies that lack compatible equipment, he said.

Those costs have slowed adoption in some communities.

Concerns about information access

Critics say encrypted communications could slow reporting and reduce real time public awareness. The Metro Detroit News journalist said some departments already provide limited information when contacted directly, forcing reporters and residents to rely on tips or formal records requests that can take weeks or months.

“A lot of people have a misconception that all departments will just give the information when you call them, but it doesn’t work like that,” he said.

He said he once requested radio dispatch records and was quoted about $10,000 for access, information that had previously been publicly accessible through scanners.

When I worked as a reporter in Flint, Michigan the police department would often deny the media information about crimes.

Public safety debate

Supporters of scanner access argue real time monitoring can help warn residents during emergencies. In one past incident involving a major explosion that destroyed several homes, journalists said they were able to alert the public quickly because they heard it unfold on scanner traffic.

Without that access, some worry people will rely more on unverified social media posts.

“You’re going to get a lot of people now just posting, ‘I saw eight police cars at this intersection.’ People are going to just be guessing as to what’s happening,” Abe said.

Possible compromises

Some have suggested alternatives such as delayed public feeds, media access systems or official alert channels that notify the public and news outlets about major incidents.

“That’s literally all we can ask for,” he said.

He said he hopes speaking publicly about the issue will encourage discussions with lawmakers and agencies before encryption becomes widespread across the region.