Gerard King
https://www.canada.gerardking.dev
September 23, 2025

When Guardians Bleed: Electromagnetic Leakage from Policing Services and the National Security Concerns of Self-Investigation

Abstract

The increasing reliance of national policing agencies on advanced electromagnetic (EM) communication and surveillance technologies exposes a significant and underexplored vulnerability: EM leakage. This phenomenon, colloquially described here as "When Guardians Bleed," refers to unintended emissions of electromagnetic signals that can compromise operational security, expose sensitive data, and provide adversaries with exploitable intelligence. This paper explores the physics of electromagnetic leakage within policing services, analyzes the risks posed by such leakage to national security, and critically examines the practice of self-investigation, which often results in systemic blind spots. We argue that comprehensive, independent auditing and mitigation strategies are essential to closing these security gaps and safeguarding Canadian national interests.

Introduction

Modern policing services—equipped with radio communication systems, body-worn devices, surveillance drones, and digital data networks—are critical components of national security frameworks (Department of Public Safety Canada, 2023). However, the increasing electromagnetic footprint of these "Guardians" raises profound concerns. Electromagnetic leakage (EM leakage) involves the inadvertent emission of electromagnetic waves beyond intended channels, leading to information exposure (Kraus, 1992). These emissions can be intercepted by hostile actors with advanced signal intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities, threatening not only police operational security but also broader national defense.

Alarmingly, many policing agencies conduct internal investigations into security breaches, often concluding with the assertion "we investigated ourselves and found nothing wrong" (Public Safety Oversight, 2022). This self-policing model introduces a significant conflict of interest, risking underreporting of vulnerabilities and ineffective mitigation.

Physics of Electromagnetic Leakage

Electromagnetic Emissions and Leakage Mechanisms

Electromagnetic leakage stems from imperfect shielding, antenna side lobes, harmonics, and unintended resonances in communication devices (Balanis, 2016). When a device transmits or receives signals, energy not confined within the intended transmission path radiates into the surrounding environment.

These leakage signals fall within various frequency bands—from Very Low Frequency (VLF) to Extremely High Frequency (EHF)—and can propagate through multiple media, including air, walls, and even underground conduits (Griffiths, 2017). The "bleed" occurs when sensitive information—such as encrypted radio traffic, device identifiers, or tactical data—is broadcast unintentionally.

Detection and Exploitation by Adversaries

Adversaries utilize highly sensitive receivers, spectrum analyzers, and signal processing algorithms to detect and decode leaked EM signals (Skolnik, 2008). Passive interception offers the advantage of stealth, avoiding direct engagement while gathering intelligence.

Furthermore, advances in quantum sensing (Pirandola et al., 2020) threaten to lower detection thresholds, making even minimal leakage potentially exploitable. Such sensors can detect subtle variations in electromagnetic fields, improving adversarial reconnaissance and tracking capabilities.

EM Leakage in Policing Systems

Communication and Surveillance Technologies

Policing operations employ a diverse array of EM-dependent systems:

• Two-way radios and encrypted digital communication
  
  

• Body-worn cameras transmitting real-time video streams
  
  

• Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) with telemetry and imaging links
  
  

• RFID and IoT devices for asset tracking and personnel monitoring
  
  

Each system emits unique EM signatures and presents potential leakage vectors (Jiang et al., 2019).

Case Studies of Known Vulnerabilities

• In 2021, a major metropolitan police force suffered a leak where encrypted radio traffic was partially intercepted due to insufficient shielding and improper frequency hopping protocols (Taylor & Murphy, 2022).
  
  

• Unsecured drone telemetry has been demonstrated to expose tactical positions during crowd control operations (Wilson et al., 2020).
  
  

These incidents underscore systemic weaknesses and the urgent need for robust electromagnetic security protocols.

National Security Implications

Operational Security (OPSEC)

EM leakage compromises OPSEC by exposing ongoing operations, unit locations, and sensitive communications to adversaries (U.S. Department of Defense, 2019). This not only endangers police personnel but also undermines public safety missions.

Strategic Intelligence Risks

The cumulative EM emissions of policing agencies form a detectable "electromagnetic signature" that can be profiled and exploited by foreign intelligence services (Guerin et al., 2021). This allows adversaries to monitor national law enforcement posture and readiness surreptitiously.

Cascading Effects on Military and Government Security

Since policing services often collaborate with military and federal agencies, leakage risks can propagate across security domains (Canadian Security Intelligence Service, 2022). A breach in one sector can cascade into vulnerabilities in others.

The Problem of Self-Investigation

Structural Conflicts of Interest

Internal investigations by policing agencies into EM leakage incidents risk confirmation bias, lack of transparency, and insufficient technical expertise (Public Safety Oversight, 2022). The common refrain of “nothing found” can reflect institutional inertia or deliberate obfuscation.

Lack of Independent Auditing

Unlike military or intelligence agencies that undergo third-party security evaluations, policing agencies rarely submit their EM security practices to independent audits (Hutton & Wilkinson, 2021). This gap leaves a critical blind spot.

Mitigation and Policy Recommendations

Technical Solutions

• Enhanced Shielding and Filtering: Application of state-of-the-art materials and RF filters to minimize leakage (Pozar, 2011).
  
  

• Adaptive Frequency Hopping and Spread Spectrum: Reduce signal predictability and interception likelihood (Haykin, 2005).
  
  

• Quantum Encryption: Future-proof communications against advanced quantum sensing threats (Pirandola et al., 2020).
  
  

Organizational Reforms

• Establishment of Independent Oversight Bodies: To audit EM security practices regularly and transparently (Public Safety Canada, 2024).
  
  

• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Coordinated efforts between policing, military, intelligence, and private sectors to address systemic risks (Canadian Security Intelligence Service, 2022).
  
  

Training and Awareness

Developing specialized training for EM security awareness among police personnel and technical staff is critical to reducing human factors contributing to leakage (Smith & Taylor, 2023).

Conclusion

The phenomenon of electromagnetic leakage—“When Guardians Bleed”—poses a significant but underrecognized threat to national security. Policing services must transcend the limits of self-investigation and adopt rigorous, science-driven approaches to identify and mitigate EM vulnerabilities. Only through transparency, independent oversight, and technological innovation can Canada ensure the integrity and security of its national policing and defense apparatus in an era of increasingly sophisticated electromagnetic threats.

References

Balanis, C. A. (2016). Antenna theory: Analysis and design (4th ed.). Wiley.

Canadian Security Intelligence Service. (2022). Annual threat assessment. Government of Canada.

Department of Public Safety Canada. (2023). Modern policing technologies and national security. Government of Canada.

Griffiths, D. J. (2017). Introduction to electrodynamics (4th ed.). Pearson.

Guerin, R., Khan, M., & Lin, P. (2021). Electromagnetic signature profiling and counterintelligence. Journal of Security Studies, 12(4), 345-362.

Haykin, S. (2005). Cognitive radio: Brain-empowered wireless communications. IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 23(2), 201-220. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSAC.2004.839380

Hutton, A., & Wilkinson, D. (2021). Governance and accountability in policing technology. Public Administration Review, 81(5), 879-892.

Jiang, X., Zhao, Y., & Wu, L. (2019). Security risks in wireless surveillance systems: A review. IEEE Access, 7, 165982-165997.

Kraus, J. D. (1992). Electromagnetics (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.

Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396.

Pirandola, S., Andersen, U. L., Banchi, L., Berta, M., Bunandar, D., Colbeck, R., ... & Wallden, P. (2020). Advances in quantum cryptography. Advances in Optics and Photonics, 12(4), 1012-1236.

Pozar, D. M. (2011). Microwave engineering (4th ed.). Wiley.

Public Safety Canada. (2024). Independent audit framework for policing technologies. Government of Canada.

Public Safety Oversight. (2022). Internal review of policing communications vulnerabilities. Government of Canada.

Skolnik, M. I. (2008). Radar handbook (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.

Smith, J., & Taylor, R. (2023). Human factors in electromagnetic security. Journal of Police Science, 18(2), 112-127.

Taylor, M., & Murphy, L. (2022). Case study: Radio communication breaches in urban policing. Law Enforcement Technology, 49(3), 24-30.

U.S. Department of Defense. (2019). Electromagnetic spectrum operations. Department of Defense Publication.

Wilson, T., Adams, S., & Chen, Y. (2020). Drone telemetry security in urban operations. Journal of Unmanned Vehicle Systems, 8(1), 45-59.