Alger County Sheriff
Alger, Michigan
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists only Alger County's narcotics talkgroup 02DRUG (6022) as encrypted on MPSCS; police dispatch, fire/EMS dispatch and countywide common remain in the clear.
Encryption Details
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 Alger County Sheriff radio encrypted?
Yes — Alger County Sheriff's radio system runs on P25 DES-OFB 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 Alger County Sheriff on a police scanner?
Partially. Alger County Sheriff encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Alger County Sheriff encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Alger County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor sheriff's office activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can Alger 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 Alger County Sheriff encryption?
Start local: show up when Alger County officials discuss the budget for Alger County Sheriff, 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.