Officer safety? Yes, that is the current buzz phrase to justify encryption. Waco has hosted several high-profile incidents including the Branch Davidian ordeal. More recently, the Twin Peaks biker shootout between the Cossacks and Bandidos showed that encryption has very little to do with officer safety, when used correctly. I fully support the use of encryption for sensitive channels such as Narcotics and SWAT, but not general dispatch.
No officers were harmed in the Twin Peaks shootout. If have a recording of this incident. It was in the clear!
When I hear of a city that has encrypted radio traffic, I make it a point to never enter that city again.