Monterey Police
Berkshire, Massachusetts
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists one Monterey police channel, 156.015 MHz described as "PD - Secondary (Secure)", in encrypted DMR (DMRE) mode; no other Monterey police channel is listed.
Encryption Details
Berkshire County Context
Of the 2 public-safety agencies we track in Berkshire County, Monterey Police is currently the only one we have flagged as encrypted.
See every agency we track in Berkshire County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This is a split system: certain talkgroups are encrypted while others remain in the clear, which means partial monitoring is still possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monterey Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Monterey Police's radio system runs on DMR Enhanced Privacy encryption. This is a split system: certain talkgroups are encrypted while others remain in the clear, which means partial monitoring is still possible.
Can I listen to Monterey Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Monterey 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 Monterey Police encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Berkshire 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 Berkshire County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes, and some departments already have. Because encryption here is a choice rather than a technical necessity, the path back runs through the same people who chose it: budget hearings, records requests, and residents who keep asking in public.
What can I do about Monterey Police encryption?
Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for Monterey 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 Berkshire County with you.