NYPD’s Radio Encryption Puts First Responders at Risk
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has locked out emergency medical crews from police radio communications, compromising both police officers and EMS first responders, according to EMS union leaders.
An "Incomprehensible" Move
The department began radio encryption in July 2023, but failed to accommodate Emergency Medical Service (EMS) technicians and paramedics, who have historically had direct communication with police. This move flies in the face of federal mandates calling for "interoperability" between emergency services, providing critical information to all emergency workers.
Interoperability and Radio Encryption
Interoperability became a mandate after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, when 343 firefighters and 58 police officers were killed in responding to the carnage at and collapse of the World Trade Center. Communications between the services were limited during that operation, putting many more first responders in danger.
EMS Union Leaders Express Concerns
Vincent Variale, president of the EMS Officers Union Local 3621, called it "incomprehensible" as to why the NYPD would encrypt precinct radios before ensuring all first responders maintained communication. Variale maintains that both police officers and emergency medical personnel are put in peril due to the communications lapse.
Police Radio Encryption and Response Times
Variale said that having radios allowed responders to know what they were entering, whether it was an active shooter, hazardous materials incident, or some other danger, including a terror attack. "Now it’s more time consuming and puts us in danger," Variale said. "When we could monitor police radios, there could be a shooting and we could prepare ourselves and avoid getting shot."
"Nervous" over Being Shut Out
Oren Barzilay, president of Local 2507 of emergency technicians and paramedics, agrees with Variale, saying, "My members are now nervous without police access." Barzilay stated, "I don’t understand how this was acceptable. Interoperability was part of that report, but this is a reversal of policy for the safety of agencies working in collaboration members."
PBA and FDNY Response
The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) issued a statement from its president, Patrick Hendry: "In any emergency, police officers need to have seamless communication with all of the personnel on the scene, including Fire and EMS. The NYPD needs to come up with a solution that gives our fellow first responders the access that they need to these radio frequencies."
FDNY Deputy Commissioner James Long agreed, saying, "It’s all being worked out, but I don’t know where it is in process." FDNY Commissioner Yisroel Hecht has since replaced Chief of Information Technology Ruben Beltran.
A Gap in Police Transparency
The NYPD continues to encrypt police radios throughout the city under a nearly billion-dollar modernization program, maintaining that encryption protects officers from criminals using their communications to commit crimes and endangers police. This leaves members of the media to ponder how they will cover breaking news.
Conclusion
The NYPD’s radio encryption has created a significant gap in police transparency, compromising the public’s right to know what is happening in their communities. The "Keep Police Radio Public Act" bill, sponsored by State Senator Michael Gianaris (D-Queens), aims to prevent the NYPD and other police departments from shutting out the press from police radio access. The bill has received support from the New York Media Consortium and the News Guild, part of the Communications Workers of America.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of police radio encryption?
A: The NYPD claims that encryption protects officers from criminals using their communications to commit crimes and endangers police.
Q: What is the impact of police radio encryption on first responders?
A: The encryption has locked out emergency medical crews from police radio communications, compromising both police officers and EMS first responders.
Q: What is the "Keep Police Radio Public Act" bill?
A: The bill aims to prevent the NYPD and other police departments from shutting out the press from police radio access, ensuring transparency and the public’s right to know.
Q: What is the current status of the bill?
A: The bill has been sponsored by State Senator Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) and has received support from the New York Media Consortium and the News Guild, part of the Communications Workers of America. It is set to be reintroduced in the 2025 session.
