West Covina Police
Los Angeles, California
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists West Covina Police Dispatch, Tactical, Detectives and both Narcotics talkgroups on the ICI system as encrypted, while West Covina Fire and Code Enforcement talkgroups remain in the clear.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Los Angeles County Context
West Covina 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
There is no partial access here: routine dispatch is encrypted alongside everything else, so a scanner picks up nothing from this agency at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Covina Police radio encrypted?
Yes. West Covina Police uses P25 DES-OFB encryption. There is no partial access here: routine dispatch is encrypted alongside everything else, so a scanner picks up nothing from this agency at all.
Can I listen to West Covina Police on a police scanner?
No. West Covina Police has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 DES-OFB. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did West Covina Police encrypt their radio?
The standard justification nationwide is officer safety and operational security, regardless of whether a documented local incident ever required it. The tradeoff that follows is consistent too: public oversight drops, and reporters lose the ability to track police department response as it happens.
Can Los Angeles County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. West Covina Police operates encrypted because someone decided it should, and decisions of that kind get revisited when councils hear sustained, organised pressure rather than isolated complaints.
What can I do about West Covina Police encryption?
File a FOIA request for West Covina Police's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Los Angeles County who want the same access — state legislation requiring public radio access is the longer-term fix, but organized local pressure is what usually moves the needle first.