Many police departments do not feel the need to encrypt their everyday wireless data transmissions, but their reasoning may be wrong. Both practitioners and vendors caution against relying on the inherent security of digital equipment. Whether a radio or a laptop computer is involved, digital equipment may be secure against a scanner but not against someone who understands the technology. As police departments look at digital security and encryption, several issues are involved: (1) police officers are concerned about individuals who may listen to their communications but they rely on scanners in patrol cars to listen to police transmissions in neighboring jurisdictions; (2) freedom of information; and (3) encryption must be uniform. Various encryption systems and their effectiveness in scrambling data transmissions are briefly described. 2 photographs