New York Police Department
All New York City counties, New York
How we verified this
NY1 (Nov 20, 2023) confirms NYPD began encrypting Brooklyn North precincts in summer 2023 with a phased citywide rollout, but a live Broadcastify 'NYPD Citywide 4' feed (online 492+ days as of Aug 2026) contradicts the listing's claim that Citywide 4 is encrypted.
Encryption Details
What This Means
A defined subset of this agency's channels is encrypted. The rest of the system continues to operate in the clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York Police Department radio encrypted?
Yes — New York Police Department's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 encryption. A defined subset of this agency's channels is encrypted. The rest of the system continues to operate in the clear.
Can I listen to New York Police Department on a police scanner?
Partially. New York Police Department encrypts specific talkgroups rather than the whole system, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did New York Police Department encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to All New York City counties County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor police department activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can All New York City counties County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for New York 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 New York Police Department encryption?
Start local: show up when All New York City counties County officials discuss the budget for New York 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.