Highland Police
Madison, Illinois
How we verified this
RR Madison County db shows Highland Police dispatch 151.0925 in mode P25e (encrypted, multicast on SC21 TG 7015) but also notes police are dispatched by the Madison County Sheriff on talkgroup 7315 'not encrypted', so dispatch remains audible in the clear — partial, not the listed full encryption.
Encryption Details
Madison County Context
Madison County is a mixed picture: 1 of 7 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (14%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Madison 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 Highland Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Highland 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 Highland Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Highland 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 Highland Police encrypt their radio?
Ask why, and the answer is usually officer safety, sometimes operational security. What is harder to obtain is any documented case in Madison County where an open channel caused harm. The costs need no such documentation: reporting on police department response slows down, and mutual-aid coordination gets more awkward, immediately.
Can Madison County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for Highland Police can also unmake it; there's no technical lock-in. The approach that has worked elsewhere combines public-records requests, direct council pressure, and a coordinated local coalition.
What can I do about Highland Police encryption?
Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for Highland 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 Madison County with you.