Massachusetts Encrypted Agencies
31 public safety agencies in Massachusetts have encrypted their radio communications.
RadioReference Verification
| Agency Name | County | Type | Encryption | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Suffolk | Fire | P25 AES-256 | Tactical Only | |
| Suffolk | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Plymouth | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Middlesex | Fire | P25 AES-256 | Fully Encrypted | |
| Middlesex | Police | P25 AES-256 | Fully Encrypted | |
| Worcester | Fire | P25 DES-OFB | Partially Encrypted | |
| Berkshire | Police | DMR Enhanced Privacy | Partially Encrypted | |
| Middlesex | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Essex | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Middlesex | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Hampden | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Partially Encrypted | |
| Essex | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Middlesex | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Partially Encrypted | |
| Commonwealth Wide | Police | P25 AES-256 | Partially Encrypted | |
| Suffolk | Airport | P25 AES-256 | Specific Channels | |
| Essex | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Partially Encrypted | |
| Berkshire | Police | DMR Enhanced Privacy | Partially Encrypted | |
| Nantucket | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Suffolk | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Bristol | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Norfolk | Ems | NXDN Scrambling | Fully Encrypted | |
| Hampshire | Police | P25 AES-256 | Fully Encrypted | |
| Hampden | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Hampden | Fire | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Bristol | Police | P25 AES-256 | Partially Encrypted | |
| Hampshire | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Hampden | Police | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted | |
| Worcester | Ems | P25 AES-256 | Fully Encrypted | |
| Worcester | Fire | P25 AES-256 | Tactical Only | |
| Worcester | Other | DMR Enhanced Privacy | Fully Encrypted |
Browse Massachusetts by County
Search or select a county to see encrypted agencies in that area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public safety agencies in Massachusetts are encrypted?
31 agencies in Massachusetts are documented as encrypted: 20 (65%) fully encrypted and 11 with partial encryption. See the full table below for specific agencies.
Which Massachusetts agencies have verified encryption data?
21 of the 31 agencies listed here (68%) have been checked directly against the RadioReference API, covering 173 documented talkgroups. The rest are sourced from the community-maintained RadioReference Wiki and may be less current.
Which county in Massachusetts has the most encrypted agencies?
Middlesex County leads Massachusetts with 6 encrypted agencies (83% fully encrypted). Browse the county list below to see how your area compares.
Can I still monitor police scanners anywhere in Massachusetts?
Yes. 11 agencies in Massachusetts have only partial encryption, and fire/EMS channels frequently stay open even in counties where police departments have gone dark. Use the filters below to find what's still accessible.
Can Massachusetts residents get an encryption decision reversed?
Yes — encryption is a local policy decision, not a technical requirement. Communities in other states have reversed encryption decisions through sustained city council pressure and public-records requests; see our guide on fighting encryption for the specific tactics that have worked.
Fight Encryption in Massachusetts
Join the movement to restore transparency to public safety communications.