Middletown Police Department
New Castle, Delaware
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 1 talkgroup
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1301 | N-MIDLTWN PD | Middletown Police TAC | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Middletown 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 Middletown 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.
New Castle County Context
Of the 3 public-safety agencies we track in New Castle County, Middletown Police Department is currently the only one we have flagged as encrypted.
See every agency we track in New Castle County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Our records list only the tactical side as encrypted here, with routine dispatch possibly in the clear. Verify against the live RadioReference database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Middletown Police Department radio encrypted?
Our database lists Middletown Police Department as using P25 AES-256 encryption, though this listing is unverified. Our records list only the tactical side as encrypted here, with routine dispatch possibly in the clear. Verify against the live RadioReference database.
Can I listen to Middletown Police Department on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Middletown Police Department as encrypting its tactical channels, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why do agencies like Middletown Police Department encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real New Castle County incident is rarely part of the public record, whereas the consequences are easy to observe — no real-time accountability, and neighbouring agencies still in the clear left working around the gap.
Can New Castle 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 New Castle County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about Middletown Police Department encryption?
File a FOIA request for Middletown Police Department's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in New Castle 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.