Watervliet Arsenal
Albany, New York
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists the Watervliet Arsenal "Law Enforcement" talkgroup on the Albany/Schenectady Counties system as encrypted ("D Enc") while the Arsenal's Fire and Arsenal-wide talkgroups are listed in the clear.
Encryption Details
Albany County Context
Albany County is a mixed picture: 1 of 18 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (6%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Albany County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
A subset of this department's talkgroups are encrypted rather than the whole system. Everything outside that subset may still be audible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Watervliet Arsenal radio encrypted?
Yes — Watervliet Arsenal's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 encryption. A subset of this department's talkgroups are encrypted rather than the whole system. Everything outside that subset may still be audible.
Can I listen to Watervliet Arsenal on a police scanner?
Partially. Watervliet Arsenal encrypts specific talkgroups rather than the whole system, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Watervliet Arsenal encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Albany County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor other agency activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can Albany County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for Watervliet Arsenal 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 Watervliet Arsenal encryption?
Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for Watervliet Arsenal, and the recordings themselves — because a specific request is harder to wave away than a general complaint. Then take what you learn to a council meeting, and bring others from Albany County with you.