In an age when digital eavesdropping is as easy as a few clicks on a smartphone app, Harford County law enforcement is taking a step towards increased security and privacy. According to a message released by the Harford County Sheriff's Office, agencies in the county have now fully transitioned to encrypted communications channels.
Frequently discussed across these channels are sensitive pieces of information, including, but not limited to, juvenile matters, medical histories, and evidence about ongoing investigations. The move to encryption is in response to requirements by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy, which exists to maintain a safeguard over Criminal Justice Information. "Encryption is required to comply with the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy," the Harford County Sheriff's Office stated, underscoring the necessity of this transition for legal compliance.
Recent criminal cases have illustrated the perils of unencrypted communication. In 2023, a barricade involving a suspect in a wooded area in Fallston was compromised by over 20,000 listeners who followed live updates via a scanner app.
However, this encryption does not come without drawbacks. The Harford County Sheriff's Office acknowledges the public's desire to stay informed about local incidents. "We recognize that our community has become accustomed to “following along” on our many calls for service," as detailed by the Harford County Sheriff's Office, reflecting on the decision's potential impact on public transparency. Despite these concerns, the imperative to balance the scales between the community’s right to know and the necessity of maintaining operational secrecy has compelled this shift toward encrypted communications.
