Police Department Partially Encrypted

Dover Police Department

Kent, Delaware

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope Some talkgroups encrypted (66.7% per RadioReference data); others remain in the clear.
Technical Details P25 AES-256

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
9 Total Talkgroups
6 Encrypted
3 Unencrypted
67% Encrypted
Radio System: State of Delaware P25
View 6 talkgroups
DEC Alpha Tag Description Status
1207 N-UDPD Disp U of D PD Dispatch Encrypted
1209 N-UDPD TAC U of D PD TAC Encrypted
805 K-DISP-1 Dover PD Dispatch 1 Encrypted
1241 K-DISP-2 Dover PD Dispatch 2 Encrypted
1245 K-DVTAC1 Dover PD TAC-1 Encrypted
1247 K-DVTAC2 Dover PD TAC-2 Encrypted

Verification Status

We do have per-talkgroup data for Dover Police Department 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 Dover Police Department 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.

Shared Radio System

Worth knowing before reading this as specific to Dover Police Department: State of Delaware P25 is shared county-wide or regional infrastructure, also used by 0 other agencies in Kent County — one radio system, several agency pages.

Kent County Context

Kent 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.

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dover Police Department radio encrypted?

Dover Police Department 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 Dover Police Department on a police scanner?

Possibly. Our database lists Dover Police Department 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 Dover Police Department encrypt their radio?

Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Kent 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 Kent 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 Dover Police Department encryption?

Start local: show up when Kent County officials discuss the budget for Dover Police Department, 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.

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