Boston Police
Suffolk, Massachusetts
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 8 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3137 | BPD 16 COMM | Boston Police Department CH-16 Comm Unit | Encrypted |
| 3083 | BFD CTAC 1 | Boston Fire Command Tac 1 | Encrypted |
| 3085 | BFD CTAC 2 | Boston Fire Command Tac 2 | Encrypted |
| 2202 | BPD PD-2 | Patch to Patrol District 2 | Encrypted |
| 2203 | BPD PD-3 | Patch to Patrol District 3 | Encrypted |
| 2204 | BPD PD-4 | Patch to Patrol District 4 | Encrypted |
| 2205 | BPD PD-5 | Patch to Patrol District 5 | Encrypted |
| 2206 | BPD PD-6 | Patch to Patrol District 6 | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Boston 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 Boston 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.
Suffolk County Context
Suffolk County is a mixed picture: 1 of 4 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 Suffolk 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 Boston Police radio encrypted?
Boston Police is listed in our records with P25 DES-OFB 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 Boston Police on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Boston 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 Boston 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 Suffolk 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 Suffolk County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for Boston 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 Boston Police encryption?
Contact the officials who oversee Boston Police'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 Suffolk County, or start one, since agencies respond differently to organized, sustained pressure than to individual complaints.