Holyoke Police
Hampden, Massachusetts
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists Holyoke Police's secondary/records channel on 158.955 MHz as encrypted P25 (P25E) while the department's primary 159.210 MHz dispatch channel remains unencrypted P25.
Encryption Details
Hampden County Context
Holyoke Police isn't an outlier here: 3 of the 4 public-safety agencies we track in Hampden County are fully encrypted (75%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Hampden County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Coverage here is uneven — parts of the system are locked and parts are open, so a scanner gives you an incomplete rather than an empty picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Holyoke Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Holyoke Police's radio system runs on P25 DES-OFB encryption. Coverage here is uneven — parts of the system are locked and parts are open, so a scanner gives you an incomplete rather than an empty picture.
Can I listen to Holyoke Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Holyoke Police encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Holyoke Police encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Hampden County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor police department activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can Hampden 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 Holyoke Police encryption?
Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for Holyoke Police, and the recordings themselves — because a specific request is harder to wave away than a general complaint. Then take what you learn to a council meeting, and bring others from Hampden County with you.