Irwindale Police
Los Angeles, California
How we verified this
RR DB shows all four Irwindale PD talkgroups (IRW PD1 dispatch, PD2 tactical, PD DET, PD NARCO) flagged D Enc on ICI; the DB does not state the encryption algorithm, so the listed 'DES-OFB' detail is unverified.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Los Angeles County Context
Irwindale Police isn't an outlier here: 39 of the 46 public-safety agencies we track in Los Angeles County are fully encrypted (85%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Los Angeles County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency encrypts all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders can't monitor its activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Irwindale Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Irwindale Police's radio system runs on P25 DES-OFB encryption. This agency encrypts all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders can't monitor its activity.
Can I listen to Irwindale Police on a police scanner?
No. Irwindale Police has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 DES-OFB. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Irwindale Police encrypt their radio?
Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for Irwindale 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 Irwindale Police encryption?
Start local: show up when Los Angeles County officials discuss the budget for Irwindale Police, 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.