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 don't yet have per-talkgroup data for Ann Arbor Police from the RadioReference API. The encryption scope and type above come from the RadioReference Wiki, which is community-maintained rather than independently confirmed channel-by-channel. Our automated matching put this at moderate confidence (70%) based on how closely the wiki listing matches this agency's name and county.
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: 3 of 10 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (30%), 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 every channel this agency runs as encrypted, including day-to-day dispatch. That listing hasn't been verified against live talkgroup data, so confirm it at RadioReference before relying on it.
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 every channel this agency runs as encrypted, including day-to-day dispatch. That listing hasn't been verified against live talkgroup data, so confirm it at RadioReference before relying on it.
Can I listen to Ann Arbor Police on a police scanner?
Likely not, if the listing is accurate: our database lists Ann Arbor Police as fully encrypted using P25 DES-OFB, which no consumer scanner can decode. The listing is unverified — check the live RadioReference database for current 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.