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Daniels County discusses radio encryption, equipment costs and staffing as federal rules loom
Summary
County dispatch staff told commissioners federal guidance requires vetted access to encrypted law‑enforcement channels, prompting discussion of buying a KBL 5000 key loader (cited at $5,000), removing law‑enforcement channels from ambulance/hospital radios and stepped-up training for new dispatchers.
A Daniels County dispatch supervisor told commissioners on Sept. 16 that new federal encryption expectations for law‑enforcement radio channels mean the county must vet anyone with access and update equipment and policies.
"Anyone who has access ... needs to be vetted," the dispatch supervisor said, outlining FBI‑level expectations and saying current radios and accountabilities will need upgrades. The supervisor said some issued radios are not encrypted, and removing law‑enforcement channels from ambulance and hospital radios would reduce unnecessary listening and potential HIPAA or privacy exposure.
Commissioners and staff discussed buying a KBL 5000 key loader to manage encryption keys. The supervisor cited a price of $5,000 for the KBL 5000 and said it would make sense to house the device at the sheriff's office and make it available to agencies that need it.
"The encryption software is zero and then the KBL 5000 is 5,000," the supervisor said when describing equipment costs and the need for a centralized key management option.
The meeting also covered an ambulance rear‑camera concern; the supervisor said staff would inspect the unit to determine if the camera or connections need repair or relocation.
Staff briefed the board on training and staffing: most dispatchers are relatively new, several policy changes and retraining efforts are underway, and outside presenters have volunteered to provide targeted training. One dispatcher was scheduled for POST certification in October.
The supervisor said the county was working with regional partners to align compliance steps and to avoid losing radio capabilities while meeting federal expectations.
What happens next: staff will follow up with the sheriff's office and vendors to scope key‑loader procurement, verify ambulance camera repairs, schedule training, and report back to the commission for any funding decisions.
