Police Department Fully Encrypted

Dothan Police Department

Houston, Alabama

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope All Police Operations and talkgroups except dispatch. Dispatch talk group is in the clear
Technical Details P25 AES-245

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
10 Total Talkgroups
8 Encrypted
2 Unencrypted
80% Encrypted
Radio System: Alabama Interoperable Radio System (AIRS)
View 8 talkgroups
DEC Alpha Tag Description Status
60066 Dothan Fire Tac1 Fire: Tac-1 Encrypted
60067 Dothan Fire Tac2 Fire: Tac-2 Encrypted
60068 Dothan Fire Tac3 Fire: Tac-3 Encrypted
60114 Dothan PD Info Police: Information [DPD INFO] Encrypted
60148 Dothan PD 60148E Police: Operations Encrypted
60193 Dothan PD 60193E Police: Operations Encrypted
60140 Dothan PD c2c Police: Car-to-Car Encrypted
60157 Dothan PD 60157E Police: Operations Encrypted

Verification Status

We don't yet have per-talkgroup data for Dothan Police Department from the RadioReference API. The encryption scope and type above come from the RadioReference Wiki, which is community-maintained rather than independently confirmed channel-by-channel. Our automated matching put this at moderate confidence (70%) based on how closely the wiki listing matches this agency's name and county.

If you monitor Dothan 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.

What This Means

This agency is listed in our database as encrypting all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The listing is unverified — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dothan Police Department radio encrypted?

Dothan 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 in our database as encrypting all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The listing is unverified — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database.

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

Likely not, if the listing is accurate: our database lists Dothan Police Department as fully encrypted using P25 AES-256, which no consumer scanner can decode. The listing is unverified — check the live RadioReference database for current status.

Why do agencies like Dothan Police Department encrypt their radio?

Ask why, and the answer is usually officer safety, sometimes operational security. What is harder to obtain is any documented case in Houston County where an open channel caused harm. The costs need no such documentation: reporting on police department response slows down, and mutual-aid coordination gets more awkward, immediately.

Can Houston 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 Dothan Police Department encryption?

Start local: show up when Houston County officials discuss the budget for Dothan 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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