Police Department In the Clear — Per RadioReference Data 2026-09-28

DuPage County Police

DuPage, Illinois

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope Countywide Police, MERIT, and some police tactical TG's
Technical Details P25 Phase 1/II AES-256

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
5 Total Talkgroups
0 Encrypted
5 Unencrypted
0% Encrypted
Radio System: STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois

Verification Status

We do have per-talkgroup data for DuPage County Police from the RadioReference API, and used it to correct this listing’s encryption status — 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 DuPage County 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.

Shared Radio System

Worth knowing before reading this as specific to DuPage County Police: STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois is shared county-wide or regional infrastructure, also used by 0 other agencies in DuPage County — one radio system, several agency pages.

DuPage County Context

Of the 3 public-safety agencies we track in DuPage County, DuPage County Police is currently the only one we have flagged as encrypted.

What This Means

This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but its own RadioReference talkgroup data (reviewed 2026-09-28) shows 0% of its talkgroups actually encrypted. Any scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DuPage County Police radio encrypted?

No. Despite earlier listings, DuPage County Police broadcasts in the clear. This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but its own RadioReference talkgroup data (reviewed 2026-09-28) shows 0% of its talkgroups actually encrypted. Any scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.

Can I listen to DuPage County Police on a police scanner?

Yes. DuPage County Police's own RadioReference talkgroup data shows its dispatch broadcasting in the clear — any scanner can receive it. Check RadioReference for frequencies and current status.

Why do agencies like DuPage County Police encrypt their radio?

Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to DuPage 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 DuPage 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 DuPage County Police encryption?

Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for DuPage County Police, and the recordings themselves — because a specific request is harder to wave away than a general complaint. Then take what you learn to a council meeting, and bring others from DuPage County with you.

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