HPD is on board with encrypted radios – My Columbia Basin

Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston

HERMISTON Encrypting police radios has been a topic of conversation in Hermiston for about three years since the Umatilla-Morrow Radio Data District is preparing to install new radios throughout the district this summer. Police Chief Jason Edmiston said the cost of that encryption was a big factor.

If encryption costs more than the radio data districts budget or if the city of Hermiston has to pony up for encryption, we were not interested, Edmiston said. The company that theyre going with has encryption included in the price.

Edmiston said the main reason why the city supports encrypted radio traffic is due to protecting confidential information.

I think inevitably that the Criminal Justice Information System is probably going to take a path that if you have a radio system that is able to be encrypted, thou shalt encrypt, he said.

Law enforcement have cited criminals using hand-held scanners to avoid law enforcement as one issue that speaks in favor of encryption. Edmiston said that the biggest issue for his department is the amount of personal information thats broadcast over the radios.

There is a lot a person can glean from listening to the radio, he said. I think every officer has had experience with people that collect that information. I know I personally have.

Edmiston said that people can still request radio traffic regarding a particular issue, but it will mean that those who listen to scanners at home, which could upset some Facebook page operators.

Theres various Facebook websites that are probably going to be up in arms, he said. I understand that. At the end of the day, that radio traffic is still accessible through the Oregon open records law.

The radios will be installed in patrol vehicles once the trees are in full leaf. That will help the district determine potential radio dead spots.

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HPD is on board with encrypted radios - My Columbia Basin