Beginning Monday, June 3,  2024, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is moving to an encrypted radio network to communicate with the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) dispatch. Using an encrypted channel ensures communication between public safety personnel and dispatchers are secure, and protects personally identifiable information and sensitive operational, investigatory and tactical information from being transmitted in an open environment. Interception of this information can jeopardize the safety of first responders, the public and property at a time when security is needed most.

We recognize this prevents people from openly listening to our police radio channel. We want to assure you that we remain committed to providing news outlets and the community access to public information through existing systems and methods. News outlets will continue to have access to BOEC’s computer aided dispatch to view active police calls in Multnomah County, and a public information officer is available every day to respond to questions regarding MCSO police activity. Additionally, while the radio channel is encrypted, the channel is recorded, and audio may be acquired by submitting a public records request to the BOEC. We will also continue to post pertinent public safety information on our social media accounts.