Lincolnshire Police
Lake, Illinois
How we verified this
RR Lake County db shows Lincolnshire police dispatched on STARCOM21 talkgroup 33373 '(encrypted)' by Deerfield Police, with only a conventional car-to-car frequency (154.085 FMN) remaining clear.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Lake County Context
Lake County is a mixed picture: 10 of 30 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (33%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Lake County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Tactical channels are encrypted while routine dispatch is not, so day-to-day activity may still be audible even though special operations are not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lincolnshire Police radio encrypted?
Yes. Lincolnshire Police uses P25 AES-256 encryption. Tactical channels are encrypted while routine dispatch is not, so day-to-day activity may still be audible even though special operations are not.
Can I listen to Lincolnshire Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Lincolnshire Police encrypts its tactical channels, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Lincolnshire 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 Lake 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 Lake County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. Lincolnshire Police operates encrypted because someone decided it should, and decisions of that kind get revisited when councils hear sustained, organised pressure rather than isolated complaints.
What can I do about Lincolnshire Police encryption?
File a FOIA request for Lincolnshire 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 Lake 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.