Berkeley Police Department
Oakland, Michigan
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 3 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12906 | 82VBPD5 | Police SIU 5 | Encrypted |
| 42175 | 82GIBPD1 | Gibraltar Police 1 | Encrypted |
| 42176 | 82GIBPD2 | Gibraltar Police 2 | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Berkeley Police Department 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 Berkeley Police Department 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.
Oakland County Context
Oakland County is a mixed picture: 9 of 18 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 Oakland 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 Berkeley Police Department radio encrypted?
Our database lists Berkeley Police Department as using P25 AES-256 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 Berkeley Police Department on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Berkeley Police Department 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 Berkeley Police Department encrypt their radio?
The standard justification nationwide is officer safety and operational security, regardless of whether a documented local incident ever required it. The tradeoff that follows is consistent too: public oversight drops, and reporters lose the ability to track police department response as it happens.
Can Oakland County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes — nothing about the underlying radio technology forces this. It's a decision Oakland County officials made and can revisit, and other communities have pushed departments back toward open channels through sustained council pressure and coalition-building.
What can I do about Berkeley Police Department encryption?
Put the question to whoever signs off on Berkeley Police Department'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 Oakland County so the ask arrives as a group rather than a one-off.