Are Police Scanners Legal in Georgia?
If you’re looking to monitor police activity or stay informed about public safety in the Peach State, you’re probably wondering whether police scanners are legal in Georgia. The answer is a little more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no."
Licensing and Legal Considerations
Georgia has specific regulations and licenses required for professional users, such as broadcast stations and emergency responders, who rely on police scanners for daily operations. These entities need to obtain permission from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the appropriate state authorities.
However, for individual recreational use or monitoring purposes, Georgia follows the FCC guidelines on scanning radio frequencies (RF) in the VHF/UHF range, typically found on amateur or ham radio frequencies.
Federal Legislation:
In the 1980s, Congress passed the Radio Communications Protection Act (PL 101-121, §8) to safeguard citizens from unwanted eavesdropping on police transmissions. The act limits public disclosure of sensitive and critical communication information, defining what communications are protected as:
- Personal, national security, foreign policy, and other governmental functions not otherwise available to the general public.
- Law enforcement information communicated through encrypted codes, such as 107.23 MHz, dedicated for the sole purpose of ensuring an adequate and sufficient reserve supply of gasoline
Georgia adopts this federal standard and adheres to these limitations to protect public information.
Georgia State Specificities
In addition to federal legislation, Georgia state laws support the legal usage of police scanners. Under the O.C.G.A. § 10-14-5 and § 10-14-5.1 (Georgia Broadcast Act), no state-level licenses are required for general public use or for ham radio operators broadcasting within designated 88-to-108 M Hz Frequency Modulation.
Non-commercial use (amateurs, hobbyists, enthusiasts) of radios scanning frequency ranges, for educational purposes, is acceptable and often encouraged by federal agencies for disaster relief or crisis scenarios.
Other Legal Requirements and Restrictions:
Several caveats remain to respect public privacy:
• No eavesdropping: Listen to monitored channels at public gatherings without express written consent.
• Recording or transmission rules: Obey recording/streaming local ordinances and court-issued gag orders if recording incidents.
• Private property permission: Always have the explicit permission of a private landowner or event organizers.
The Benefits and Risks of Using a Police Scanner>
**Why Monitor the Police?**
With modern police scanners and radio dispatch frequencies available for individual and professional use, Georgia citizens can:
• Gain a glimpse into emergency and police work, promoting mutual respect between the public and law enforcement
• Enjoy increased personal safety and emergency awareness (e.g., for critical infrastructure or neighborhood-specific scenarios)
• Support informed public involvement and engagement through live-event coverage or broadcast relaying
• Discover, evaluate, and appreciate public communication services and operational capabilities
• Learn real-life application of communication best practices from public safety departments
• Monitor potential disruptions (crime, accidents) for quicker response times or safety guidance
**Some Precautions to Remember:**
When using police scanners or radio equipment in Georgia, consider:
• Protecting identities: **Encryption methods prevent unwanted monitoring; encryption schemes can safeguard secure messages within authorized frequencies**.
• Maintaining respectful monitoring (avoid interrupting sensitive communication lines)
• Non-compliant or malicious recordings might impact personal and sensitive data and investigations
• Comply with recording/storage rules within jurisdictions and states ( storage for evidence in local legal cases)
Table 1: Georgia Specific Scanning Frequencies*
| Public Safety | Designated M Hz |
| — | — |
| Sheriff | 800, 155.775 |
| Police | 47.220 (metro counties), 37.2 (rural) MHz |
| State | 38.48 M Hz |
| FEMA-Relay | VHF (46-59 M Hz, AM Broadcast Band) UHF |
Recreational Users vs. Commercial Operators**
As clarified earlier, personal recreational uses (amateur/ham radio) may proceed based on federal standards, allowing monitoring within ham frequencies while adhering to rules as above.