Police Department Fully Encrypted
Cicero Police
Cook, Illinois
Encryption Details
Encryption Type NXDN Scrambling
Scope Ops 2, Ops 3, & Special Events
Technical Details NXDN 15-bit Scrambling
Verified Talkgroup Data
Verified Jan 2, 2026 Moderate confidence
23 Total Talkgroups
2 Encrypted
8 Mixed
13 Unencrypted
26% Encrypted
Radio System: Chicago OEMC Public Safety - 800 MHz P25
View 10 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5091 | CPD Marine Unit | Marine Unit: Car-to-Car | Mixed |
| 5081 | CPD SWAT 5081 | SWAT 81? | Mixed |
| 5411 | CPD Event 1 | Event 1 | Mixed |
| 7001 | CPD Command 1 | Command 1 | Encrypted |
| 5412 | CPD Event 2 | Event 2 (Dispatch in the clear) | Mixed |
| 5413 | CPD Event 3 | Event 3 | Mixed |
| 5130 | CPD Citywide 85 | Citywide 85 | Encrypted |
| 7014 | CPD Ops 7014 | Police: Operations | Mixed |
| 7015 | CPD Ops 7015 | Police: Operations | Mixed |
| 7016 | CPD Ops 7016 | Police: Operations | Mixed |
What This Means
This agency encrypts all of their radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders cannot monitor their activities.
Impact on Transparency
- Journalists cannot monitor police activity for breaking news or investigative reporting
- Community members cannot track police response to incidents in their neighborhood
- Researchers cannot study police communication patterns and response times
- Other first responders may face interoperability challenges during emergencies
Take Action
Want to help restore transparency to Cook County? Here's how you can make a difference: