Berkeley Police
Alameda, California
How we verified this
RadioReference EBRCS page shows nearly all Berkeley PD talkgroups encrypted (BPD 1, 2, RB, TAC1/2, INV1/2, PRKG) with only BPD ANNC clear — encryption is broader than the listed tactical-only scope since dispatch is also encrypted.
Encryption Details
Alameda County Context
Alameda County is a mixed picture: 2 of 9 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (22%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Alameda County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Only the tactical side is closed. SWAT callouts and sensitive operations are encrypted; ordinary calls for service may still reach a scanner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berkeley Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Berkeley Police's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 encryption. Only the tactical side is closed. SWAT callouts and sensitive operations are encrypted; ordinary calls for service may still reach a scanner.
Can I listen to Berkeley Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Berkeley Police encrypts its tactical channels, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Berkeley Police encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Alameda County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor police department activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can Alameda County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes, and some departments already have. Because encryption here is a choice rather than a technical necessity, the path back runs through the same people who chose it: budget hearings, records requests, and residents who keep asking in public.
What can I do about Berkeley Police encryption?
Contact the officials who oversee Berkeley Police's budget directly and ask why full encryption was chosen over partial alternatives. Pair that with a FOIA request for recordings and policy records, and look for an existing coalition in Alameda County, or start one, since agencies respond differently to organized, sustained pressure than to individual complaints.