Open Police Radio Channels Jeopardizing Officer Safety, People's Private Information

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Residents will no longer be able to catch snippets of emergency calls and private information transmitted across open police radio channels.

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler announced Tuesday that law enforcement across Harford County has transitioned to encrypted communications channels. It's a way to abide by federal law, protect individuals' private information and safeguard officers engaged in dangerous situations.

"Every day, information crosses the airwaves discussing information as it pertains to juveniles, medical history, victim information, personally identifiable information and evidence collection. Encryption is required to comply with the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Security Policy. This policy mandates that all criminal justice information including biometric data, identity history data, biographic data information, property data records and case/incident history must be protected with end-to-end encryption, such as over radio airwaves. With the adoption of encrypted channels, we can safeguard your personal information more effectively and comply with the law," Gahler posted on Facebook.

Gahler cited the fatal shooting at Joppatowne High School and the need to disperse information quickly among law enforcement and the inability to switch channels quickly to protect personal information and the safety of officers.

"It is imperative that we find a solution that ensures both individual rights and investigative integrity are equally safeguarded. During a 2023 barricade, involving a suspect in a wooded area in Fallston, the scanner app attracted over 20,000 listeners. Many listeners avidly shared real-time updates on social media platforms, unwittingly endangering the safety of our special response team tasked with resolving the situation safely," Gahler said.

When deputies discovered Rachel Morin's body on the Ma & Pa Trail in August 2023, the details of the crime scene were relayed from the radio to social media in a flash.

"The premature release of this information not only jeopardized the integrity of the investigation but also subjected Rachel's family and friends to distressing online content," Gahler said. "These instances that underscore the critical importance of transitioning to encrypted channels to uphold privacy and safety standards. This is not a decision that was made lightly. We recognize that our community has become accustomed to 'following along' on our many calls for service. We appreciate their support and understand their desire to be kept apprised of crimes occurring in their communities."