Monterey City Police
Monterey, California
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 4 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | Monterey PD1 | Police | Encrypted |
| 105 | Monterey PD2 | Police Investigations | Encrypted |
| 106 | Monterey PD3 | Police Community Action Team | Encrypted |
| 645 | Mont/PacGrve PD | Monterey/Pacific Grove Police Dispatch | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Monterey City 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 Monterey City 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.
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.
See every agency we track in Monterey County → County encryption overview →
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monterey City Police radio encrypted?
Monterey City 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 Monterey City Police on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Monterey City 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 Monterey City 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 Monterey City 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 Monterey City Police encryption?
Start local: show up when Monterey County officials discuss the budget for Monterey City 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.