Clearwater Police
Pinellas, Florida
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 2 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1308 | CPD Info | Info | Encrypted |
| 1312 | CPD 1312 | Tactical 1312 | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We don't yet have per-talkgroup data for Clearwater Police from the RadioReference API. The encryption scope and type above come from the RadioReference Wiki, which is community-maintained rather than independently confirmed channel-by-channel. Our automated matching put this at moderate confidence (70%) based on how closely the wiki listing matches this agency's name and county.
If you monitor Clearwater 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.
Pinellas County Context
Pinellas County is a mixed picture: 3 of 8 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (38%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Pinellas County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Our records list a subset of this department's talkgroups as encrypted rather than the whole system. Verify the current per-channel status at RadioReference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clearwater Police radio encrypted?
Our database lists Clearwater Police as using P25 AES-256 encryption, though this listing is unverified. Our records list a subset of this department's talkgroups as encrypted rather than the whole system. Verify the current per-channel status at RadioReference.
Can I listen to Clearwater Police on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Clearwater Police as encrypting specific talkgroups rather than the whole system, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why do agencies like Clearwater Police encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Pinellas 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 Pinellas County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes — nothing about the underlying radio technology forces this. It's a decision Pinellas County officials made and can revisit, and other communities have pushed departments back toward open channels through sustained council pressure and coalition-building.
What can I do about Clearwater Police encryption?
File a FOIA request for Clearwater 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 Pinellas 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.