Washington University
St. Louis, Missouri
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists the Washington University police dispatch talkgroup on the St. Louis Area Trunked Emergency Radio (SLATER) system as encrypted, in the row "D Enc | WashU Police | Police: Dispatch".
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
St. Louis County Context
Washington University isn't an outlier here: 31 of the 32 public-safety agencies we track in St. Louis County are fully encrypted (97%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in St. Louis County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency encrypts all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders can't monitor its activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington University radio encrypted?
Yes. Washington University uses P25 ADP encryption. This agency encrypts all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders can't monitor its activity.
Can I listen to Washington University on a police scanner?
No. Washington University has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 ADP. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Washington University encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real St. Louis 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 St. Louis County reverse the encryption decision?
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 St. Louis County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about Washington University encryption?
Put the question to whoever signs off on Washington University'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 St. Louis County so the ask arrives as a group rather than a one-off.