Rahway Township Police
Union, New Jersey
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference's NJICS listing flags both Rahway police talkgroups, dispatch and tactical, as fully encrypted, while the city's fire and citywide talkgroups remain in the clear.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 2 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4941 | Rahway PD 1 | Rahway PD Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 4943 | Rahway PD 2 | Rahway PD Tac | Encrypted |
Union County Context
Union County is a mixed picture: 6 of 12 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (50%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Union County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Every channel this agency runs, including day-to-day dispatch, is encrypted. That shuts out the public and local reporters, and it can complicate coordination with nearby agencies that still expect to hear it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rahway Township Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Rahway Township Police's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 encryption. Every channel this agency runs, including day-to-day dispatch, is encrypted. That shuts out the public and local reporters, and it can complicate coordination with nearby agencies that still expect to hear it.
Can I listen to Rahway Township Police on a police scanner?
No. Rahway Township Police has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 AES-256. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Rahway Township Police encrypt their radio?
Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Union 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 Union County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Encryption is a policy choice made by department leadership or elected officials, not a technical requirement, so it can be reversed the same way. Public pressure, city council advocacy, and organized local coalitions have reversed encryption decisions elsewhere.
What can I do about Rahway Township Police encryption?
Start local: show up when Union County officials discuss the budget for Rahway 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.