Savannah-Chatham Metro Police
Chatham, Georgia
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference's "Southeast Georgia Regional Radio Network (SEGARRN)" lists every Savannah-Chatham precinct channel as encrypted — "PCT 1 Disp | Precinct 1: Dispatch | D Enc" through "Westside Disp | Westside Dispatch | D Enc" — with a single unencrypted exception, "PCT PD Metro | Metro Police (patched to 3427 nights/weekends) | D".
Encryption Details
Chatham County Context
Chatham County is a mixed picture: 1 of 2 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 Chatham County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Encryption here is a mixed bag: some talkgroups are locked, others aren't. It varies by channel and by what the department is doing at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Savannah-Chatham Metro Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Savannah-Chatham Metro Police's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 encryption. Encryption here is a mixed bag: some talkgroups are locked, others aren't. It varies by channel and by what the department is doing at the time.
Can I listen to Savannah-Chatham Metro Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Savannah-Chatham Metro Police encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Savannah-Chatham Metro Police encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Chatham County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor police department activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can Chatham 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 Savannah-Chatham Metro Police encryption?
Start local: show up when Chatham County officials discuss the budget for Savannah-Chatham Metro Police, 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.