Police Department Partially Encrypted

Round Lake Heights Police

Lake, Illinois

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope Some talkgroups encrypted (50% per RadioReference data); others remain in the clear.
Technical Details P25 AES-256

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
12 Total Talkgroups
6 Encrypted
6 Unencrypted
50% Encrypted
Radio System: STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois
View 6 talkgroups
DEC Alpha Tag Description Status
33339 LakeComm Law 2 LakeComm Dispatch: Law 2 (Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park PDs) Encrypted
33353 RLB Police 2 Round Lake Beach Police: 2 Encrypted
33351 RLB Police Inv Round Lake Beach Police: Investigations Encrypted
33356 RLH Police 2 Round Lake Heights Police: 2 Encrypted
33358 RLake Police 2 Round Lake Police: 2 Encrypted
33360 RLkPrk Police 2 Round Lake Park Police: 2 Encrypted

Verification Status

We do have per-talkgroup data for Round Lake Heights Police from the RadioReference API, and used it to set the encryption scope shown above — 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 Round Lake Heights 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

Round Lake Heights Police isn't on a radio system of its own: STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois also carries 2 other agencies in Lake County, Illinois. Whatever encryption status applies here was set once, for the whole system, not agency by agency.

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.

What This Means

This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Round Lake Heights Police radio encrypted?

Round Lake Heights Police is listed in our records with P25 AES-256 encryption — a listing we haven't yet verified against live talkgroup data. This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.

Can I listen to Round Lake Heights Police on a police scanner?

Possibly. Our database lists Round Lake Heights Police as encrypting some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.

Why do agencies like Round Lake Heights Police encrypt their radio?

Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Lake 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 Lake County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Whoever made this call for Round Lake Heights 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 Round Lake Heights Police encryption?

Start local: show up when Lake County officials discuss the budget for Round Lake Heights 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.

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