Police Department Partially Encrypted

Cal State Monterey Bay Police

Monterey, California

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope Some talkgroups encrypted (4.8% per RadioReference data); others remain in the clear.
Technical Details P25 AES-256

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
31 Total Talkgroups
1 Encrypted
1 Mixed
29 Unencrypted
5% Encrypted
Radio System: ATT (LTR), Fisher Wireless TeamTalk, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Monterey Bay Aquarium, California Radio Interoperable System (CRIS)
View 2 talkgroups
DEC Alpha Tag Description Status
1130 CAL ISU 2 Investigative Services Unit 2 Encrypted
1933 USCG Security USCG Security (SF Bay Area) Mixed

Verification Status

We do have per-talkgroup data for Cal State Monterey Bay 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 Cal State Monterey Bay 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.

Shared Radio System

Cal State Monterey Bay Police isn't on a radio system of its own: ATT (LTR) / Fisher Wireless TeamTalk / California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation / Monterey Bay Aquarium / California Radio Interoperable System (CRIS) also carries 0 other agencies in Monterey County, California. Whatever encryption status applies here was set once, for the whole system, not agency by agency.

Monterey County Context

Monterey County is a mixed picture: 8 of 16 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (50%), 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 Cal State Monterey Bay Police radio encrypted?

Cal State Monterey Bay Police 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 Cal State Monterey Bay Police on a police scanner?

Possibly. Our database lists Cal State Monterey Bay 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 Cal State Monterey Bay Police encrypt their radio?

Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Monterey 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 Monterey County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Whoever made this call for Cal State Monterey Bay Police can also unmake it; there's no technical lock-in. The approach that has worked elsewhere combines public-records requests, direct council pressure, and a coordinated local coalition.

What can I do about Cal State Monterey Bay Police encryption?

Contact the officials who oversee Cal State Monterey Bay 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 Monterey County, or start one, since agencies respond differently to organized, sustained pressure than to individual complaints.

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