Brea Police
Orange, California
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 5 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 2A BRE-TAC | 2A Brea Tactical | Encrypted |
| 37 | 2B BRE-TAC | 2B Brea Tactical | Encrypted |
| 221 | 2J BRE TAC | 2J Brea Alternate Tactical | Encrypted |
| 31 | BRE A-TAC | 1A Brea Tactical | Encrypted |
| 33 | BRE B-TAC | 1B Brea Tactical | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Brea Police 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 Brea Police 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.
Orange County Context
Brea Police isn't an outlier here: 18 of the 35 public-safety agencies we track in Orange County are fully encrypted (51%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Orange County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brea Police radio encrypted?
Our database lists Brea Police as using P25 AES-256 encryption, though this listing is unverified. Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Can I listen to Brea Police on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Brea Police 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 Brea Police encrypt their radio?
Agencies cite officer safety and operational security. Those are assertions rather than findings — no local evidence is typically produced — while the effects are concrete and land straight away on anyone who relied on hearing Brea Police to know what was happening nearby.
Can Orange County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes — nothing about the underlying radio technology forces this. It's a decision Orange County officials made and can revisit, and other communities have pushed departments back toward open channels through sustained council pressure and coalition-building.
What can I do about Brea Police encryption?
File a FOIA request for Brea Police's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Orange County who want the same access — state legislation requiring public radio access is the longer-term fix, but organized local pressure is what usually moves the needle first.