Oakland Police
Bergen, New Jersey
How we verified this
RadioReference flags Oakland PD (TG 4915) on NJICS as an encrypted dispatch channel; only that single police talkgroup is listed, and no Oakland police feed exists on Broadcastify Bergen County.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Bergen County Context
Oakland Police isn't an outlier here: 5 of the 8 public-safety agencies we track in Bergen County are fully encrypted (63%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Bergen County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency encrypts specific talkgroups or channels. Other communications may still be monitored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oakland Police radio encrypted?
Yes. Oakland Police uses P25 AES-256 encryption. This agency encrypts specific talkgroups or channels. Other communications may still be monitored.
Can I listen to Oakland Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Oakland Police encrypts specific talkgroups rather than the whole system, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Oakland Police encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Bergen 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 Bergen County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes — nothing about the underlying radio technology forces this. It's a decision Bergen 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 Oakland Police encryption?
File a FOIA request for Oakland Police's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Bergen 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.