The Rockford Police Department is switching to a fully encrypted system for radio transmissions. The changes take effect Monday morning.
Police Chief Daniel O’Shea says the move is meant to stay one step ahead of those who commit crimes.
The decision has been controversial. There is an active social media following for RockfordScanner.com which monitors police scanner activity to report to the public. An online petition urged the department to keep the transmissions out in the open.
The police department recently met with area reporters to outline new communication methods including a 24/7 media line and a Dispatch Call Log that will be updated hourly and can be accessed online. That won’t include calls that involve sexual assaults, domestics, some juvenile offenses and child abductions.
The Sheriff’s office also announced it is looking into an encrypted system.
