Ada County law enforcement agencies will be implementing encryption on all radio channels starting next week.
According to a news release from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the encryption will go into effect Nov. 19. The sheriff’s office said the decision was made primarily because of “increasing concerns over public and officer safety.”
The news release stated that radio encryption will limit access to transmissions, allowing only authorized entities to listen in on such communication. Currently, those channels are accessible to anyone with a scanner or smartphone app, “creating potential risks in critical situations,” the release said.
Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford said the decision was made in conjunction with agency heads from police, fire and EMS “with consideration of both public safety and individual privacy.”
The sheriff’s office, along with Boise, Meridian and Garden City police departments, will implement the encryption, according to Ada County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Lauren Montague.