As of Wednesday, August 27, all Kingfisher County law enforcement agencies, along with the Kingfisher Fire Department, have begun encrypting their main radio frequency due to officer safety concerns.
Why the Change?
Sheriff Aaron Pitts told All About Hennessey the decision came after individuals used scanners to post officersโ real-time locations and call details on social media. One page specifically cited was the Kingfisher OK Scanner Traffic Facebook group.
Officials say the practice put officers at risk by giving suspects โfirsthand knowledgeโ of police movements during operations such as searches, while also creating dangerous situations at call scenes.
How Encryption Works
Encryption scrambles radio transmissions so only authorized radios can receive them. While the public previously could monitor scanner traffic, the new system prevents that access. All police departments in the countyโincluding Kingfisher and Hennesseyโare now part of the encrypted system.
Protecting Sensitive Information
Kingfisher Fire Chief Ryan Gibson emphasized that the decision was not about secrecy but about protecting sensitive data.
โWe transmit patient information and sometimes the location of keys to access homes in emergencies,โ Gibson explained. โWeโre not trying to hide from the public.โ
Operations Continue as Normal
Ryan Deathridge, Director of 911 and Emergency Management, said the transition has been seamless for emergency coordination.
โThis is a technical change,โ he said. โIt does not affect the way 911 or dispatchers operate.โ
All 911 consoles and agency radios have been reprogrammed to ensure interoperability among police, fire, and EMS across the county.
About The Author
