Keep Police Radio Transmission Public
WHEREAS, Transparency and accountability in policing are fundamental principles essential for the protection of civil rights and the promotion of public trust and safety; and
WHEREAS, Encrypting police radio transmissions involves converting police communications from analog or clear digital transmissions into encrypted signals that cannot be easily accessed or monitored by the public; and
WHEREAS, The practice of encrypting police radio communications has been adopted by several cities across the United States, including New York City, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and Louisville, which obstructs public access to real-time police operations; and
WHEREAS, Such encryption potentially shields law enforcement activities from scrutiny, thus impacting the ability of the public to monitor police behavior; and
WHEREAS, Civil rights organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ("NAACP"), have historically advocated for greater police transparency as a critical component in the fight against systemic racial injustices and abuses of power.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls on federal, state, and local legislators to enact laws that:
- Mandate that law enforcement agencies provide delayed access to encrypted communications for the general public, ensuring transparency while addressing legitimate security concerns.
- Establish clear, stringent criteria and oversight mechanisms for the use of encryption by law enforcement agencies, ensuring that encryption does not become a tool for avoiding public accountability.
- Promote policies that balance the legitimate security needs of law enforcement with the public's right to transparency.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP commits to monitoring the implementation of these policies, advocating for the civil rights of those impacted by policing, and supporting legislative efforts that aim to uphold the principles of justice, accountability, and transparency in law enforcement practices.