Caldwell Township Police
Essex, New Jersey
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference's NJICS listing shows the Caldwell police dispatch talkgroup in the clear and active on Broadcastify Calls, with only the Caldwell PD tactical talkgroup flagged fully encrypted.
Encryption Details
Essex County Context
Essex County is a mixed picture: 4 of 11 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (36%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Essex County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Coverage here is uneven — parts of the system are locked and parts are open, so a scanner gives you an incomplete rather than an empty picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caldwell Township Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Caldwell Township Police's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 encryption. Coverage here is uneven — parts of the system are locked and parts are open, so a scanner gives you an incomplete rather than an empty picture.
Can I listen to Caldwell Township Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Caldwell Township 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 Caldwell Township Police encrypt their radio?
Ask why, and the answer is usually officer safety, sometimes operational security. What is harder to obtain is any documented case in Essex County where an open channel caused harm. The costs need no such documentation: reporting on police department response slows down, and mutual-aid coordination gets more awkward, immediately.
Can Essex County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes, and some departments already have. Because encryption here is a choice rather than a technical necessity, the path back runs through the same people who chose it: budget hearings, records requests, and residents who keep asking in public.
What can I do about Caldwell Township Police encryption?
Start local: show up when Essex County officials discuss the budget for Caldwell Township 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.