Pueblo police to encrypt radios

A letter to the people of Pueblo was sent out by the Chief of Police Tuesday afternoon stating the department will be encrypting all of their public safety radio channels.

The information was tweeted out. Chief Troy Davenport writing, "I have been evaluating information and data and contemplating a very difficult decision for some time.... This is not something that I take lightly."

Chief Davenport goes on to write that technological advances have made it possible for those who hurt and victimize the community to download free scanner apps to cell phones, giving criminals an advantage.

The chief outlined specific examples:

-Suspects who have committed violent felonies, and our/your officers have come across and pursued, have used the apps to avoid law enforcement techniques designed to bring vehicular pursuits to a safe end. This not only endangers the officers, it endangers the public. -Wanted felons, including cases involving convicted felons in possession of firearms have monitored officers radio traffic as they approach locations where these individuals are located in an attempt to evade arrest. -Post-arrest interviews of wanted parolees has confirmed that they have used scanner apps to evade arrest. -Investigation has confirmed that several instances, suspects driving stolen motor vehicles have used scanner apps to avoid officers.

The encryption process will take place over the next 45 days.

The chief goes on to say he is willing to share the encryption codes with media partners.