Holliston Police
Middlesex, Massachusetts
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference's Middlesex County listing shows Holliston's only police entry as "471.3375 | WIL394 | Holliston PD | Police Operations | P25 | Law Dispatch" with no encryption marker, so the claim of full DES-OFB encryption of all operations is unsupported; verify current status at RadioReference.
Encryption Details
Middlesex County Context
Holliston Police isn't an outlier here: 5 of the 6 public-safety agencies we track in Middlesex County are fully encrypted (83%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Middlesex County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but verification against live sources on 2026-08-09 found its dispatch broadcasting in the clear. Any P25-capable scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Holliston Police radio encrypted?
No. Despite earlier listings, Holliston Police broadcasts in the clear. This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but verification against live sources on 2026-08-09 found its dispatch broadcasting in the clear. Any P25-capable scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.
Can I listen to Holliston Police on a police scanner?
Yes. Verification against live sources found Holliston Police's dispatch broadcasting in the clear — any P25-capable scanner can receive it. Check RadioReference for frequencies and current status.
Why do agencies like Holliston Police encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Middlesex County incident is rarely part of the public record, whereas the consequences are easy to observe — no real-time accountability, and neighbouring agencies still in the clear left working around the gap.
Can Middlesex County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. Holliston Police operates encrypted because someone decided it should, and decisions of that kind get revisited when councils hear sustained, organised pressure rather than isolated complaints.
What can I do about Holliston Police encryption?
Three things carry weight, in this order: a public-records request for Holliston Police's encryption policy and radio recordings, a turn at the microphone during Middlesex County budget discussions, and finding the other people locally already asking the same question. Individually these are easy to deflect; together they are not.