Can I listen to New Britain Police on a police scanner?

No. New Britain Police has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 AES-256. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.

Why did New Britain Police encrypt their radio?

Police departments typically cite officer safety and operational security as reasons for encryption. However, encryption also eliminates public oversight, prevents journalists from monitoring police activity, and can harm emergency coordination with other agencies.

Can Hartford County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Encryption is a policy choice, not a technical requirement. Multiple communities have successfully reversed encryption decisions through public pressure, city council advocacy, and coalition building. See our guide on fighting encryption for specific strategies.

What can I do about New Britain Police encryption?

You can: 1) Contact your local elected officials to express concerns, 2) Attend city council meetings during budget discussions, 3) File FOIA requests for radio recordings, 4) Join or build a local coalition advocating for transparency, 5) Support legislation requiring public access to police communications.

Police Department Fully Encrypted

New Britain Police

Q: Is New Britain Police radio encrypted?

Yes. New Britain Police uses P25 AES-256 encryption. This agency encrypts all of their radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders cannot monitor their activities.

Hartford, Connecticut

What you can do right now

My city went dark — now what? Step-by-step guide for residents of newly encrypted areas. What you can still monitor Fire, EMS, and surrounding-jurisdiction channels often remain open. Request the recordings FOIA templates for New Britain Police radio archives. Reverse the decision Tactics from cities that successfully reversed police encryption.

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256

Scope All Operations

Technical Details P25 Phase II AES-256

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Apr 21, 2026 Moderate confidence

50 Total Talkgroups

15 Encrypted

35 Unencrypted

30% Encrypted

Radio System: OneVoice Network, Dattco, Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network (CLMRN), Eversource

View 15 talkgroups

DEC	Alpha Tag	Description	Status
18901	NewBritPD1	Police - Patrol	Encrypted
18902	NewBritPD2	Police - Traffic	Encrypted
18903	NewBritPD3	Police - Patrol 2	Encrypted
18904	NewBritPD4	Police - Information	Encrypted
18905	NewBritPD5	Police - Supervisors	Encrypted
18906	NewBritPD6	Police - Tactical	Encrypted
18907	NewBritPD7	Police - SWAT	Encrypted
18908	NewBritPD8	Police - Special Services	Encrypted
18909	NewBritPD9	Police - Special Events	Encrypted
18910	NewBritPD10	Police - Investigations	Encrypted
18911	NewBritPD11	Police - Training	Encrypted
18912	NewBritPD12	Police - Executive	Encrypted
18913	NewBritPD13	Police - CSO	Encrypted
18914	NewBritPD14	Police - Explorer	Encrypted
19425	Newington PDTac	PD Tactical	Encrypted

What This Means

This agency encrypts all of their radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders cannot monitor their activities.

Impact on Transparency

Journalists cannot monitor police activity for breaking news or investigative reporting
Community members cannot track police response to incidents in their neighborhood
Researchers cannot study police communication patterns and response times
Other first responders may face interoperability challenges during emergencies

See encryption status nationwide Interactive map showing which US police departments have encrypted their radios. Open the encryption map →

New Britain Police Hartford, Connecticut

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Getting Started

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Learn & Understand

Scanner Guides

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Specialized Guides

Research & Policy

For Stakeholders

About & Support

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Verified Talkgroup Data

What This Means

Impact on Transparency

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