Haverhill Police
Essex, Massachusetts
How we verified this
As of August 2026 both Haverhill Police channels in RadioReference — 460.0875 MHz (Police Operations) and 470.925 MHz (Police Operations CH2) — are listed as encrypted P25 (P25E), while Haverhill Fire's dispatch and fireground channels remain in the clear.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Essex County Context
Haverhill Police isn't an outlier here: 2 of the 3 public-safety agencies we track in Essex County are fully encrypted (67%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Essex County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Every channel this agency runs, including day-to-day dispatch, is encrypted. That shuts out the public and local reporters, and it can complicate coordination with nearby agencies that still expect to hear it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Haverhill Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Haverhill Police's radio system runs on P25 DES-OFB encryption. Every channel this agency runs, including day-to-day dispatch, is encrypted. That shuts out the public and local reporters, and it can complicate coordination with nearby agencies that still expect to hear it.
Can I listen to Haverhill Police on a police scanner?
No. Haverhill Police has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 DES-OFB. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Haverhill Police encrypt their radio?
Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Essex County-specific evidence that open communications ever caused a problem, while the loss of public oversight and the friction with still-unencrypted neighboring agencies are both immediate and real.
Can Essex County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Encryption is a policy choice made by department leadership or elected officials, not a technical requirement, so it can be reversed the same way. Public pressure, city council advocacy, and organized local coalitions have reversed encryption decisions elsewhere.
What can I do about Haverhill Police encryption?
Start local: show up when Essex County officials discuss the budget for Haverhill 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.