New Britain Police
Hartford, Connecticut
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
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 |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for New Britain 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 New Britain 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.
Hartford County Context
Hartford County is a mixed picture: 3 of 6 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 Hartford County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Britain Police radio encrypted?
Our database lists New Britain Police as using P25 AES-256 encryption, though this listing is unverified. Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Can I listen to New Britain Police on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists New Britain 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 New Britain Police encrypt their radio?
Agencies cite officer safety and operational security. Those are assertions rather than findings — no local evidence is typically produced — while the effects are concrete and land straight away on anyone who relied on hearing New Britain Police to know what was happening nearby.
Can Hartford County reverse the encryption decision?
It can. The radios support open and encrypted operation equally well, so this is a configuration and a policy, not a constraint — and policies set by Hartford County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about New Britain Police encryption?
Put the question to whoever signs off on New Britain Police's radio budget: why full encryption rather than a delayed feed or tactical-only channels? File for the recordings and the decision documents alongside it, and link up with neighbours and local reporters in Hartford County so the ask arrives as a group rather than a one-off.