University of Michigan-Flint
Genesee, Michigan
How we verified this
As of October 2026 (Genesee County = U-M Flint campus): MPSCS 'University of Michigan' category lists 25PD904 'Flint: Campus Police Dispatch' as D Enc, while RR's Genesee County page lists U-M Flint PD conventional channels (car-to-car, special events) as FMN, analog clear. Dispatch is encrypted. U-M Ann Arbor DPSS dispatch is separately listed D (clear).
Encryption Details
Talkgroup Data Under Review
Our October 2026 audit removed 2 talkgroups because it could not tie them to University of Michigan-Flint by RadioReference category (2 naming another agency or town). Those found on RadioReference are filed under State Colleges and Universities (2). Totals and percentages computed from that list are withheld.
No talkgroups remain on file for University of Michigan-Flint.
Current list: RadioReference, Genesee County.
Genesee County Context
Genesee County is a mixed picture: 10 of 38 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (26%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Genesee County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Encryption here is a mixed bag: some talkgroups are locked, others aren't. It varies by channel and by what the department is doing at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Michigan-Flint radio encrypted?
Partly. University of Michigan-Flint uses encryption (algorithm not published) on some of its talkgroups while leaving others open. Encryption here is a mixed bag: some talkgroups are locked, others aren't. It varies by channel and by what the department is doing at the time.
Can I listen to University of Michigan-Flint on a police scanner?
Partially. University of Michigan-Flint encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did University of Michigan-Flint encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Genesee County incident is rarely part of the public record, whereas the consequences are easy to observe — less real-time accountability, and neighbouring agencies still in the clear left working around the gap.
Can University of Michigan-Flint's encryption decision be reversed?
It can. The radios support open and encrypted operation equally well, so this is a configuration and a policy, not a constraint — and policies set by local officials in Genesee County are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about University of Michigan-Flint encryption?
File a FOIA request for University of Michigan-Flint's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Genesee County who want the same access — state legislation requiring public radio access is the longer-term fix, but organized local pressure is what usually moves the needle first.