This is how a police shooting in The Bronx unfolded in real-time this month.

"Okay, you guys, I got shots fired. 1 down at this time."

Two NYPD officers shot a man who allegedly pointed a fake gun at them.

The incident was broadcast over a police radio, providing details about the case and the NYPD’s response to it.

Journalists have long monitored police scanners to get a handle on what’s happening in the city, and corroborate information with police.

But those police scanners may soon go silent.

"Certainly, we consider transparency, but first and foremost, the first immediate concern is not with the media, it's with New Yorkers and keeping them safe. We can't have criminals with better technology and tools," said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea.

The NYPD confirms it is evaluating whether to encrypt police radio transmissions, making it impossible to monitor police calls.

AM New York first reported on the proposal.

Long-time news photographer Todd Maisel said the radio traffic is not just a trip-wire for breaking news, it also provides accountability.

"Without that, they control the narrative, and if they control the narrative, they can put window dressing on it, they can make it anything they want and they can tell us anything they want and then you won't know about Sean Bell, you won't know about Graham and Eric Garner," said Todd Maisel, Vice-President, New York Press Photographers Association.

Many federal agencies already use encrypted communications.

The NYPD has argued the change would improve safety.

"I think the commissioner cited an example of a kidnapping. How do you conduct one of those over the radio when the whole world is listening for entertainment value?" said John Miller, NYPD Counterterrorism.

"It's a time issue, if you wait for the police department to tell you what's going on, you're likely to miss the story," said Jane Tillman Irving, President, New York Press Club.

"There has always been an entertainment value, but it was a smaller group, hobbyists and sometimes they would tip off news media.” Tillman added.

According to the NYPD, the change to encrypted communications could happen over the next 3 to 5 years. The department says it is open to having a discussion about including the media in its digital upgrades, so news organizations can keep listening in.