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 don't yet have per-talkgroup data for Boston Police from the RadioReference API. The encryption scope and type above come from the RadioReference Wiki, which is community-maintained rather than independently confirmed channel-by-channel. Our automated matching put this at moderate confidence (70%) based on how closely the wiki listing matches this agency's name and county.
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: 2 of 4 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (50%), 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 in our database as encrypting all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The listing is unverified — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database.
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 in our database as encrypting all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The listing is unverified — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database.
Can I listen to Boston Police on a police scanner?
Likely not, if the listing is accurate: our database lists Boston Police as fully encrypted using P25 DES-OFB, which no consumer scanner can decode. The listing is unverified — check the live RadioReference database for current 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.