Chicago Cop Charged with Selling Encrypted Police Radio Access

Officer Alain M. Dillon accused of accepting cash payments for unauthorized access to department-issued encrypted radios.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:07pm

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An Illinois police officer has been charged with bribery and official misconduct for allegedly accepting cash payments in exchange for providing unauthorized access to his department-issued encrypted police radio. Alain M. Dillon, 37, is accused of receiving multiple $500 payments from an unidentified individual for personal use of the encrypted radio, which was designed to prevent public monitoring of police activity.

Why it matters

The encryption of police radio channels in Chicago has been a controversial move, with some arguing it reduces transparency, while officials claim it is necessary to prevent criminals from monitoring law enforcement operations in real-time. This case highlights the potential vulnerabilities in the encrypted radio system and the temptation for officers to misuse their access for personal gain.

The details

According to the Illinois Attorney General's office, Dillon has been under investigation since June 2024 and is currently working in a non-enforcement role. The encrypted radios, which cost $2,500 each, were implemented by the Chicago Police Department in late 2022 to prevent unauthorized listening through public scanners. However, this has led to incidents of radio theft from police stations, with one migrant allegedly being offered $1,000 by a gang member for access to an encrypted radio.

  • Dillon has been under investigation since June 2024.
  • Chicago Police Department encrypted its radio channels in late 2022.
  • In September 2024, officers recovered a stolen CPD radio hidden in the Humboldt Park neighborhood.
  • Ismael Claudio Jr. pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft of the stolen radio in January 2025.

The players

Alain M. Dillon

A 37-year-old Chicago police officer charged with bribery and official misconduct for allegedly accepting cash payments in exchange for providing unauthorized access to his department-issued encrypted police radio.

Kwame Raoul

The Illinois Attorney General who announced the charges against Dillon.

Lori Lightfoot

The former mayor of Chicago who stated that encrypting the police radio channels was necessary to prevent criminals from monitoring police activity in real-time.

Brandon Johnson

The current mayor of Chicago who indicated during his campaign that he would consider restoring public access to real-time police radio activity.

Ismael Claudio Jr.

A 46-year-old tow truck driver who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft in January 2025 after admitting to possessing a stolen CPD radio.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Alain M. Dillon out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of maintaining secure police communications while balancing public access to information. The encryption of police radio channels represents a trade-off between operational security and transparency, and the alleged actions of Officer Dillon underscore the potential vulnerabilities in the system.