SUNY Albany
Albany, New York
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 1 talkgroup
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18304 | SUNY PD Tac | Police Tactical | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for SUNY Albany 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 SUNY Albany 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.
Albany County Context
Of the 18 public-safety agencies we track in Albany County, SUNY Albany is currently the only one we have flagged as encrypted.
See every agency we track in Albany County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Our records list only the tactical side as encrypted here, with routine dispatch possibly in the clear. Verify against the live RadioReference database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUNY Albany radio encrypted?
Our database lists SUNY Albany as using P25 AES-256 encryption, though this listing is unverified. Our records list only the tactical side as encrypted here, with routine dispatch possibly in the clear. Verify against the live RadioReference database.
Can I listen to SUNY Albany on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists SUNY Albany as encrypting its tactical channels, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why do agencies like SUNY Albany encrypt their radio?
Agencies cite officer safety and operational security. Those are assertions rather than findings — no local evidence is typically produced — while the effects are concrete and land straight away on anyone who relied on hearing SUNY Albany to know what was happening nearby.
Can Albany County reverse the encryption decision?
It can. The radios support open and encrypted operation equally well, so this is a configuration and a policy, not a constraint — and policies set by Albany County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about SUNY Albany encryption?
File a FOIA request for SUNY Albany's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Albany 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.