Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn issued a statement on Friday after members of the public voiced concerns about the department’s switch to encrypted radio communication. Chief Redfearn said the move is not a step back in transparency, but a “necessary evolution” that enables the department to better protect the community and communicate with surrounding agencies.
The Boulder Police Department (BPD) switched to encrypted radios on October 30, which means citizens can no longer listen to radio communication. One primary reason cited by Chief Redfearn and the department is so that criminals and suspects cannot listen to police communication to elude capture or arrest. The other reason mentioned is that the change will allow the agency to communicate “swiftly and effectively” with partner agencies. Chief Redfearn’s statement said events like the 2027 Sundance Film Festival require a streamline of communication with other agencies to help keep the community safe.
“As your Police Chief, I must balance competing priorities: transparency and operational security; community needs and officer safety; accountability and crime reduction,” Redfearn said. “These tensions are real, and I don’t take them lightly. Every decision I make weighs these factors with the seriousness they deserve.”…