Tracy Police
San Joaquin, California
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists both Tracy Police channels — Police Dispatch on 453.975 and Police Channel 2 on 453.925 — with mode P25E, indicating encrypted P25, rather than channel 1 only.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
San Joaquin County Context
San Joaquin County is a mixed picture: 1 of 3 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (33%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in San Joaquin County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
A defined subset of this agency's channels is encrypted. The rest of the system continues to operate in the clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tracy Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Tracy Police's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 encryption. A defined subset of this agency's channels is encrypted. The rest of the system continues to operate in the clear.
Can I listen to Tracy Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Tracy Police encrypts specific talkgroups rather than the whole system, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Tracy Police encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to San Joaquin County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor police department activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can San Joaquin County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes, and some departments already have. Because encryption here is a choice rather than a technical necessity, the path back runs through the same people who chose it: budget hearings, records requests, and residents who keep asking in public.
What can I do about Tracy Police encryption?
Start local: show up when San Joaquin County officials discuss the budget for Tracy 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.