Dartmouth Police Transition to Encrypted Radio Communications, Met with Criticism

DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The Dartmouth Police Department announced a significant upgrade in their communication system, implementing full encryption for their radio communications. The change aims to protect sensitive and personal information, ensuring public safety transmissions remain secure and inaccessible to unauthorized individuals.

The department’s move aligns with the FBI Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Policy, which mandates strict protocols for handling criminal justice information such as social security numbers, medical details, and criminal histories often shared during police operations.

“We have been using encrypted communications since at least the 1990s. Adopting full encryption eliminates the burden of manually switching to secured channels during high-pressure situations, ensuring private information remains protected,” stated Police Chief Brian P. Levesque.

While the department emphasizes that this change enhances security, it has sparked a robust discussion among community members and public safety enthusiasts. Comments on the Dartmouth Police Department’s Facebook post reveal a spectrum of opinions:

• Edward Caron, a retired law enforcement officer, expressed concerns about the lack of transparency. “For the most part, there is nothing that needs to be encrypted. Officer safety is paramount, but there are existing systems, like BAPERN, which could provide interoperability and maintain transparency,” he said.
• Robert Macedo, a volunteer amateur radio operator, highlighted the potential challenges during weather emergencies. “Encryption eliminates the ability to monitor police communications for storm-related information. This could lead to increased workload for dispatchers during critical times,” he remarked, while still acknowledging the need for sensitive information protection.
• Karen Blanchard Huard voiced skepticism, stating, “This is another attempt to keep citizens from knowing what’s going on. Sensitive information can be shared via the computers already in police vehicles.”
• Greg Jolly and Matthew Mello both expressed concerns over transparency, noting that encryption obstructs public access to real-time updates. Jolly added, “If it was necessary, every police agency in the U.S. would be encrypted.”

The Dartmouth Police Department maintains that the decision reflects advancements in technology and their commitment to safeguarding the community. The upgrade was made in partnership with local public safety organizations, including fire departments and emergency management agencies, to ensure seamless interoperability.

Attribution: Information for this article was obtained from the Dartmouth Police Department press release and public comments on the department’s Facebook page.