Historically in the USA many police agencies have tried to cover-up and hide evidence of wrongdoing by on duty officers. Some people viewed the open radio policy as a way to monitor the police to make sure they’re not breaking the law themselves. I personally have never tried to listen in to a police radio so it doesn’t bother me much but some people are upset about it.
Comment on NYPD faces backlash as it prepares to encrypt radio communications | New York | The Guardian
otter@lemmy.ca 10 months agoI don’t quite get these comments, I think our emergency services went encrypted a while back in Vancouver Canada and I’m surprised NY wasn’t already encrypted?
Keep the communications encrypted for the privacy and safety of people involved, and keep records for a set amount of time. Anyone with access to the live feed can access the backups during that time, and report issues as needed
AdamEatsAss@lemmy.world 10 months ago
Rolder@reddthat.com 10 months ago
I wouldn’t imagine that radio communications contain much evidence of wrongdoing. All the real illegal shit happens in person.
Kusimulkku@lemm.ee 10 months ago
Hey I love snooping on shit and watching reality shows as much as the next guy but I couldn’t be that mad about the police wanting to have a secure way of communicating
KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 months ago
Police interactions are public information. If you go to a police station and do a FOIA request, you get all that info anyway. Why would it need to be kept secret before the point it is requested?
Apart from the fact that many departments deny legal FOIA requests and force people to take legal action to get the information they are legally entitled to.
Oh wait. Maybe that’s why they want encryption.
BirdyBoogleBop@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 months ago
Isn’t personal information taken out of FOIA requests first? I can see why victims wouldn’t their names and addresses given freely out. Heck I think certain perpertrators should get a modicum of privacy too.
KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 months ago
Suspects would already be covered, FOIA requests usually aren’t released before a case is closed, and you ideally don’t close a case half finished.
Yes, some information is redacted from FOIA requests, but it’s normally not stuff that would be broadcast over a radio. For instance, they may blur the faces of bystanders, or mute a section where someone is giving the officer personal info. But again, there would be no reason to broadcast this info over the radio regardless.
doppelgangmember@lemmy.world 10 months ago
I’ll put it simple.
American cops are not equivalent to Canadian cops. US cops use tax payer money to pay lawsuits but are allowed a special police union as well. No other public servants get a union to do their bidding while tax payers foot the bill.
Open the channels. What’s there to hide. In emergency events, yes it could be an issue. But people also need to know where serious events might be occurring in their areas.
lolcatnip@reddthat.com 10 months ago
I’d much rather have some real accountability measures than the accidental accountability occasionally provided by broadcasting their communications.
Krauerking@lemy.lol 10 months ago
How about both? The governmental systems are supposed to be open so that they can be observed to be truthful and trustworthy, and then keep checking anyways.
lolcatnip@reddthat.com 10 months ago
I don’t think things like names of suspects should be made public.
thecrotch@sh.itjust.works 10 months ago
Fine, roll that out before you take away what we have