Big Win – “Keep Police Radio Public” Bill Passes New York Legislature

For several years, NYPD and police departments in several other counties have deployed new encrypted digital communications systems.  These encrypted systems prevent journalists from gaining access to basic police dispatch information, making it nearly impossible to cover law enforcement activity.

This will be changing.  Last week, both the NY Senate and Assembly passed the “Keep Police Radio Public Act” (S.416/A.3516).  A special thank you to Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris (D. NY 12 - Astoria, Jackson Heights) and Assemblywoman Karines Reyes (D. NY 87 - Bronx) for taking the lead on this important legislation.  It was mostly a party-line vote, with Democrats supporting the legislation.

The Keep Police Radio Public Act will require law enforcement agencies in New York to continue providing professional journalists with access to police communications.  While some law enforcement agencies have expressed concerns with this act,  the legislation limits access to professional journalists.  Criminals will not be able to access police communications.  No New York law enforcement agency has provided any evidence that journalists have been a problem or pose a future problem to police officers.  The legislation pertains to basic dispatch information.  It exempts “sensitive” communications from disclosure. 

Under the legislation, the NY Department of State will develop rules governing access to police communications. This agency adopted similar rules regarding journalists’ access to body armor under the New York gun laws. 

Our next step is the Governor.  She has not yet taken a position on the bill, and we will be meeting with her.  We expect the opposition to request a veto or fundamental changes to the legislation.  So, we have work to do.  However, this is a big win and a huge step forward.

You can see the text of the legislation here.