Berkeley Police Department encrypted all radio channels Thursday at 5 a.m., citing safety issues. On Wednesday at its regular meeting, the Police Accountability Board, or PAB, discussed the decision in addition to a mandatory training for all BPD officers to be aware of Berkeley\u2019s sanctuary city status.<\/p>\n
PAB Vice Chair Leah Wilson expressed frustration with the decision, citing BPD\u2019s previous statement that it would not encrypt radio channels. According to Deputy Chief Jen Tate, Berkeley is the last city in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to encrypt its radio channels.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cResidents and journalists rely on open access to BPD\u2019s radio in order to provide updates to the community on issues of public safety, an important source of knowledge especially amidst increased enforcement by masked federal officers across the nation,\u201d wrote Director of Police Accountability Hansel Aguilar and PAB Chair Joshua Cayetano in the letter submitted to City Council.\u00a0<\/p>\n
BPD Lieutenant Christopher Bonaventure expressed that having unencrypted channels was a safety issue for BPD officers, as locations and tactics of officers could be listened to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The board also discussed BPD\u2019s mandatory training program for all employees as a result of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, activity predicted in the Bay Area. Despite the surge being postponed, the goal of the program is for employees to be aware of Berkeley\u2019s status as a sanctuary city.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The board briefly discussed inviting members from other civilian oversight organizations such as Los Angeles, Portland and Chicago. They hope that members from different cities can testify to the best practices for handling increased ICE activity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some board members cited issues with BPD\u2019s Annual Surveillance Technology Report, adding that they were not made aware of two civilian complaints pertaining to body camera footage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In response, Wilson asked if the board could be made aware of complaints when they are filed and not during the resolution process.\u00a0<\/p>\n