Santa Monica Police
Los Angeles, California
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 3 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2132 | LASD LTAC SCT | L-TAC - Santa Clarita | Encrypted |
| 2133 | LASD METRO SCT | Metro - Santa Clarita Supplemental Tac | Encrypted |
| 2084 | LASD DISP 5 | Dispatch 5 - Santa Clarita | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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.
Los Angeles County Context
Los Angeles County is a mixed picture: 22 of 46 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (48%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Los Angeles 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 Santa Monica Police radio encrypted?
Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica Police on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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. Encryption is a policy choice made by department leadership or elected officials, not a technical requirement, so it can be reversed the same way. Public pressure, city council advocacy, and organized local coalitions have reversed encryption decisions elsewhere.
What can I do about Santa Monica Police encryption?
Start local: show up when Los Angeles County officials discuss the budget for Santa Monica 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.