Sheridan Police Department
Hamilton, Indiana
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 5 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10605 | SPD-OPS | Police: Tactical | Encrypted |
| 29241 | SHERIDAN CAR | Police: Car-to-Car | Encrypted |
| 21700 | 88-SPD DISP | Salem Police: Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 21701 | 88-SPD OPS | Salem Police: Operations | Encrypted |
| 21702 | 88-SPD TAC | Salem Police: Tactical | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Sheridan Police Department 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 Sheridan Police Department 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.
Hamilton County Context
Hamilton County is a mixed picture: 2 of 8 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (25%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Hamilton County → County encryption overview →
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sheridan Police Department radio encrypted?
Sheridan Police Department 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 Sheridan Police Department on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Sheridan Police Department 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 Sheridan Police Department 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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for Sheridan Police Department 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 Sheridan Police Department encryption?
Contact the officials who oversee Sheridan Police Department's budget directly and ask why full encryption was chosen over partial alternatives. Pair that with a FOIA request for recordings and policy records, and look for an existing coalition in Hamilton County, or start one, since agencies respond differently to organized, sustained pressure than to individual complaints.