Police Department Fully Encrypted
Costa Mesa Police
Orange, California
Encryption Details
Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope All Operations
Technical Details P25 AES-256
Verified Talkgroup Data
Verified Jan 2, 2026 Moderate confidence
18 Total Talkgroups
5 Encrypted
13 Unencrypted
28% Encrypted
Radio System: Nextel (WPPH675), Nextel (Santiago), Touch Tel Mobile (Orange County), Touch Tel Mobile (217 Mhz Santiago Peak), Countywide Coordinated Communications System (CCCS) (P25), Caltrans (District 7/8/12), Southern California Edison
View 5 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 3A COS-DSP | 3A Costa Mesa Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 47 | 3B COS-TAC | 3B Costa Mesa Tac | Encrypted |
| 233 | 3J COS-TAC | 3J Costa Mesa Tac | Encrypted |
| 41 | COS A-TAC | 1A Costa Mesa Ops | Encrypted |
| 43 | COS B-TAC | 1B Costa Mesa Ops | Encrypted |
What This Means
This agency encrypts all of their radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders cannot monitor their activities.
Impact on Transparency
- Journalists cannot monitor police activity for breaking news or investigative reporting
- Community members cannot track police response to incidents in their neighborhood
- Researchers cannot study police communication patterns and response times
- Other first responders may face interoperability challenges during emergencies
Take Action
Want to help restore transparency to Orange County? Here's how you can make a difference: