Police Department Partially Encrypted

Michigan State Police

Statewide, Michigan

How we verified this

RR DB State Police District 2 - Metro Detroit category shows encrypted dispatch talkgroups REGD2NE/REGD2SE ('North/South Dispatch Encrypted', D Enc) plus encrypted tactical TGs, but districtwide and several dispatch/patch talkgroups remain clear, so District 2 is only partially encrypted.

Checked against a primary source on 2026-08-01: radioreference.com . Encryption status changes without notice — confirm the current picture on the live RadioReference database before relying on it.

What you can do right now

My city went dark — now what? Step-by-step guide for residents of newly encrypted areas. What you can still monitor Fire, EMS, and surrounding-jurisdiction channels often remain open. Request the recordings FOIA templates for Michigan State Police radio archives. Reverse the decision Tactics from cities that successfully reversed police encryption.

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope Some talkgroups encrypted; dispatch audible per verification
Technical Details P25 AES-256

What This Means

This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.

See encryption status nationwide Interactive map showing which US police departments have encrypted their radios. Open the encryption map →

Other Agencies in Statewide

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
P25 AES-256
Department of Homeland Security
P25 AES-256
Drug Enforcement Agency
P25 AES-256
Immigration, Customs, and Enforcement
P25 AES-256
Mercy Ambulance
P25 AES-256

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Michigan State Police radio encrypted?

Yes — Michigan State Police's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 encryption. This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.

Can I listen to Michigan State Police on a police scanner?

Partially. Michigan State 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 Michigan State Police encrypt their radio?

Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Statewide 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 Statewide County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Whoever made this call for Michigan State Police can also unmake it; there's no technical lock-in. The approach that has worked elsewhere combines public-records requests, direct council pressure, and a coordinated local coalition.

What can I do about Michigan State Police encryption?

Start local: show up when Statewide County officials discuss the budget for Michigan State 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.

Data source: RadioReference Wiki

Checked against a primary source on 2026-08-01 — see "How we verified this" above. Encryption status changes; confirm at RadioReference before relying on it.

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