It's absurd that they didn't.

Of course it would be nice to get the audio published after the shift ends. Data can be made public without endangering an ongoing operation.

Original title was too long: “Despite push for police accountability, PPB, local agencies latest in U.S. to encrypt radio communication”

Is there a law enforcement carve out for using encryption over the airwaves?

If not, I smell an opportunity for a regulatory challenge. Likely ineffectual in the long run, but who knows, maybe other people are on board with resolving governmental self-referential inconsistencies.

Does the encryption used protect the Portland police from DHS eavesdropping?