Billings Police Department
Yellowstone, Montana
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 4 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 831 | MHP D4 D1 | Dispatch Billings | Encrypted |
| 12401 | Billings PD Disp | Billings Police Main Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 12403 | Billings PD Enc | Billings Police Encrypted | Encrypted |
| 12405 | Billings PD Enc | Billings Police Encrypted | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Billings 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 Billings 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.
What This Means
This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billings Police Department radio encrypted?
Billings Police Department is listed in our records with P25 DES-OFB encryption — a listing we haven't yet verified against live talkgroup data. This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.
Can I listen to Billings Police Department on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Billings 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 Billings Police Department encrypt their radio?
Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for Billings Police Department 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 Billings Police Department encryption?
Start local: show up when Yellowstone County officials discuss the budget for Billings Police Department, 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.