Agencies seek to protect privacy, safety; opponents cite lack of transparency
DOVER — Joining other states’ law enforcement agencies, Delaware State Police encrypted all their radio transmission channels March 22.
That has been done, police officials said, in an effort to protect the privacy of victims, as well as the safety of officers.
But others are concerned that the move limits the public’s right to know.
“We have no channels available or open to the public, media or others,” said DSP spokesman Master Cpl. Gary Fournier, who noted that Wilmington and New Castle County police encrypted their transmissions before DSP did so.
According to Cpl. Fournier, there were a few reasons the encryption was enacted.
“First, this is to protect victims’ rights. When our dispatchers broadcast an address for specific crimes (i.e., sexual offenses, personal crimes like domestic assaults, etc.), this information should not be privy to the public.
“Next, we want to ensure the public is receiving accurate information to incidents that occur around the state. There are social media outlets not directly connected to accredited media that will report inaccurate information prior to the investigation being completed by law enforcement.”
He added, “Our public information office’s purpose is to provide factual information and assistance to any and all valid media inquiries, with the realization in mind that the public gets its news through the eyes and ears of television, radio and newspaper media representatives.
Publishers Notes: I think in 2021 Earl Campbell pissed off the Delaware State Police. The Captain doesn’t name ESU but I think you can connect the dots.