Big Stone County Sheriff's Office
Big Stone, Minnesota
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Big Stone County Sheriff's Office from the RadioReference API, and used it to correct this listing’s encryption status — 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 Big Stone County Sheriff's Office 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.
What This Means
This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but its own RadioReference talkgroup data (reviewed 2026-09-28) shows 0% of its talkgroups actually encrypted. Any scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Stone County Sheriff's Office radio encrypted?
No. Despite earlier listings, Big Stone County Sheriff's Office broadcasts in the clear. This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but its own RadioReference talkgroup data (reviewed 2026-09-28) shows 0% of its talkgroups actually encrypted. Any scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.
Can I listen to Big Stone County Sheriff's Office on a police scanner?
Yes. Big Stone County Sheriff's Office's own RadioReference talkgroup data shows its dispatch broadcasting in the clear — any scanner can receive it. Check RadioReference for frequencies and current status.
Why do agencies like Big Stone County Sheriff's Office encrypt their radio?
Agencies cite officer safety and operational security. Those are assertions rather than findings — no local evidence is typically produced — while the effects are concrete and land straight away on anyone who relied on hearing Big Stone County Sheriff's Office to know what was happening nearby.
Can Big Stone County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes — nothing about the underlying radio technology forces this. It's a decision Big Stone 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 Big Stone County Sheriff's Office encryption?
File a FOIA request for Big Stone County Sheriff's Office's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Big Stone 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.