It's Official - DCMPD Will Be Fully Encrypted in September 2011

Status
Not open for further replies.

steve888

Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2011
Messages
96
Location
Fairfax County, Virginia
I heard on National Public Radio this morning they are officially going encrypted next month. They interviewed Chief Lanier and she said the main reason is officer safety. When they arrest people in DC and go through the data on their cell phones, they've found a lot of the bad guys have mobile apps installed that allow them to monitor MPD radio traffic. Personally, I think that's a bunch of BS. If there's a sensitive investigation going on, police can request a TAC channel that is fully encrypted. And I can't recall any cases of MPD officers being killed or injured because one of the bad guys was following what they were doing on a cell phone using a mobile app.

I really think this just boils down to the police wanting to operate in total secrecy with less accountability.

Sad, sad day for anyone who is a scanning enthusiast :(
 

steve888

Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2011
Messages
96
Location
Fairfax County, Virginia
From WAMU

This is the local NPR station here in Washington, DC and their story from this morning:

D.C. Police To Encrypt Radio Communications - News - WAMU 88.5 FM - American University Radio

D.C. Police To Encrypt Radio Communications
Patrick Madden
August 26, 2011 - After decades of use, D.C.’s police scanners are about to go silent. Next month, the Metropolitan Police Department will start encrypting its radio communications.

With its constant crackle of police codes, the scanner has long provided the background music in many local newsrooms, as well as countless hours of chatter for hobbyists known as scanner junkies. But that’s all set to change next month, when the department switches to encrypted communications.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

brownlab

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
708
Location
Washington DC, Alexandria/Fairfax County /Loudoun
Chief Cathy might add that encryption prevents any number of embarrassing situations monitored by the press and the public (especially those damm community activists and neighborhood watch types) from being reported. It's nice that she is willing to share the encryption codes with other jurisdictions yet that gives the impression that no such interoperability plan is yet in place. Most likely they will continue with the somewhat adhoc system they use now (think PMARS). Also I guess they could keep a citywide channel open "just in case"? Cut me a break. If the Chief wants to have a secret police department and the city council is dumb enough to let her get away with it then so be it but don't blame it on officer safety because a couple of punks have cell phone apps. Show me a department that uses encryption and I will show you a department that has problems (both internal and external) She is just covering her butt and everyone knows it.
 

mdulrich

Member
Feed Provider
Joined
Dec 9, 2002
Messages
1,628
Location
Van Wert, Ohio
When they arrest people in DC and go through the data on their cell phones, they've found a lot of the bad guys have mobile apps installed that allow them to monitor MPD radio traffic.

Apparently those apps aren't helping the bad guys. It sounds to me like they ought to stay in the clear so they can keep arresting people.

Mike
 

mk262

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Sep 17, 2010
Messages
454
Location
Flagler County
Apparently those apps aren't helping the bad guys. It sounds to me like they ought to stay in the clear so they can keep arresting people.

Mike

I hear this occasionally other places. Obviously yes if they got arrested it didn't do jack for them.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top