‘We heard the radio of the police!’ Appropriations of the logistics of the state in Spain during late francoism and transicion to democracy (1966-1982)

Abstract

Policing and repertoires of protest co-evolve. During the 1960s, radio communications improved the logistical coordination of the police but also empowered activists who intercepted the police bandwidth. Using a database of police recordings and transcripts of police radio from 1966 to 1982, this article analyzes the practice, usages and effects of listening to the police radio in late —and post— Francoist and Spain. This surveillance on the police allowed activists to protect their actions from police intervention. Opposition groups also used the recordings and transcripts of police communications as an authoritative source on the magnitude of social conflicts and political mobilizations, countering official statements. On some occasions, these eavesdropping efforts even served as a focal point that triggered mobilization. Recordings of police radio were also used as evidence of illegalities and aggressive behavior by the police and as a gripping soundtrack in clandestine documentaries exposing repression. Thus, the technological sophistication represented by police radio had unintended effects. It provided unwanted opportunities associated with the technical sophistication of society as a whole, facilitating the accountability of the police and thus contributing to democratization.

Keywords:   Spain; Francoism; police; radio; transition to democracy; social movements; counter-intelligence.