Police Department Partially Encrypted

Childersburg Police Department

Talladega, Alabama

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope Some talkgroups encrypted (94.7% per RadioReference data); others remain in the clear.
Technical Details P25 AES-256

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
19 Total Talkgroups
18 Encrypted
1 Unencrypted
95% Encrypted
Radio System: Alabama Interoperable Radio System (AIRS)
View 18 talkgroups
DEC Alpha Tag Description Status
11705 PCPD DISP Police: Dispatch Encrypted
11713 PCPD Tac-1 Police: Tactical 1 Encrypted
11699 PCPD EMERG Police: Emergency Button Encrypted
11700 PCPD EVENT 1 Police: Events 1 Encrypted
11701 PCPD EVENT 2 Police: Events 2 Encrypted
11702 PCPD EVENT 3 Police: Events 3 Encrypted
11703 PCPD EVENT 4 Police: Events 4 Encrypted
11704 PCPD EVENT 5 Police: Events 5 Encrypted
11706 PCPD Enc 11706 Police: Operations Encrypted
11707 PCPD Enc 11707 Police: Operations Encrypted
11708 PCPD Enc 11708 Police: Operations Encrypted
11709 PCPD Enc 11709 Police: Operations Encrypted
11710 PCPD Enc 11710 Police: Operations Encrypted
11711 PCPD Enc 11711 Police: Operations Encrypted
11712 PCPD Enc 11712 Police: Operations Encrypted
11714 PCPD Enc 11714 Police: Operations Encrypted
11715 PCPD Enc 11715 Police: Operations Encrypted
11716 PCPD Enc 11716 Police: Operations Encrypted

Verification Status

We do have per-talkgroup data for Childersburg Police Department from the RadioReference API, and used it to set the encryption scope shown above — but no additional human-reviewed source (a live feed check or a dated news account) has been recorded for this record, so treat it as a data-quality correction rather than an independently confirmed verification. Check the live RadioReference database directly for current status.

If you monitor Childersburg Police Department directly or have more current information, the fastest way to fix this is to update the RadioReference Wiki entry — our data pulls from there and from the RadioReference API on a regular refresh cycle.

Shared Radio System

Childersburg Police Department isn't on a radio system of its own: Alabama Interoperable Radio System (AIRS) also carries 0 other agencies in Talladega County, Alabama. Whatever encryption status applies here was set once, for the whole system, not agency by agency.

Talladega County Context

Talladega County is a mixed picture: 2 of 5 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (40%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.

What This Means

This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.

See encryption status nationwide Interactive map showing which US police departments have encrypted their radios. Open the encryption map →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Childersburg Police Department radio encrypted?

Childersburg Police Department is listed in our records with P25 AES-256 encryption — a listing we haven't yet verified against live talkgroup data. This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.

Can I listen to Childersburg Police Department on a police scanner?

Possibly. Our database lists Childersburg Police Department as encrypting some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.

Why do agencies like Childersburg Police Department encrypt their radio?

Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Talladega County-specific evidence that open communications ever caused a problem, while the loss of public oversight and the friction with still-unencrypted neighboring agencies are both immediate and real.

Can Talladega County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Encryption is a policy choice made by department leadership or elected officials, not a technical requirement, so it can be reversed the same way. Public pressure, city council advocacy, and organized local coalitions have reversed encryption decisions elsewhere.

What can I do about Childersburg Police Department encryption?

Start local: show up when Talladega County officials discuss the budget for Childersburg Police Department, and ask specifically why full encryption was chosen over a delayed feed or tactical-only approach. File a FOIA request for recordings or policy documents, and connect with others nearby who want the same information — a coordinated ask carries more weight than an individual one.

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