Ann Arbor Police
Washtenaw, Michigan
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 9 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 137 | 33START1 | Lansing Police START channel 1 | Encrypted |
| 138 | 33START2 | Lansing Police START channel 2 | Encrypted |
| 12310 | 81 AAPD CAR | Ann Arbor City: Car-to-Car | Encrypted |
| 12312 | 81 AAPD DB | Ann Arbor Police Detective Bureau | Encrypted |
| 22205 | 25PAT1 | Patriot Ambulance Service Channel 1 Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 22364 | 903PDCAR | Ann Arbor: DPSS Car-to-Car | Encrypted |
| 42272 | 343DPD2E | Dearborn/Melvindale Police 2 | Encrypted |
| 42275 | 343DPD3E | Dearborn/Melvindate Police 3 | Encrypted |
| 42284 | 343DPD1E | Dearborn/Melvindale Police Dispatch (Future Use) | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Ann Arbor Police from the RadioReference API, and used it to set the encryption scope shown above — but no additional human-reviewed source (a live feed check or a dated news account) has been recorded for this record, so treat it as a data-quality correction rather than an independently confirmed verification. Check the live RadioReference database directly for current status.
If you monitor Ann Arbor Police directly or have more current information, the fastest way to fix this is to update the RadioReference Wiki entry — our data pulls from there and from the RadioReference API on a regular refresh cycle.
Washtenaw County Context
Washtenaw County is a mixed picture: 1 of 10 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (10%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Washtenaw County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ann Arbor Police radio encrypted?
Our database lists Ann Arbor Police as using P25 DES-OFB encryption, though this listing is unverified. Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Can I listen to Ann Arbor Police on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Ann Arbor Police as encrypting some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why do agencies like Ann Arbor 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 Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor Police encryption?
Put the question to whoever signs off on Ann Arbor Police's radio budget: why full encryption rather than a delayed feed or tactical-only channels? File for the recordings and the decision documents alongside it, and link up with neighbours and local reporters in Washtenaw County so the ask arrives as a group rather than a one-off.