Taunton Police
Bristol, Massachusetts
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists Taunton Police's primary channel (482.6375 MHz) and detective channel (484.875 MHz) as encrypted P25 (P25E), while the department's 483.0625 MHz regional operations channel remains analog and in the clear.
Encryption Details
Bristol County Context
Bristol County is a mixed picture: 1 of 2 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 Bristol 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 Taunton Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Taunton Police's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 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 Taunton Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Taunton 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 Taunton Police encrypt their radio?
Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Bristol 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 Bristol 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 Taunton Police encryption?
Start local: show up when Bristol County officials discuss the budget for Taunton 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.