Winston-Salem Police Department
Forsyth, North Carolina
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 5 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38256 | WPD SID1 | City Police Special Investigations Division | Mixed |
| 38288 | WPD SID2 | City Police Special Investigations Division 2 | Encrypted |
| 38224 | WPD CID 1 | Winston-Salem PD Criminal Investigation Division | Encrypted |
| 38320 | WPD SID 3 | Winston-Salem PD Special Investigation Division | Encrypted |
| 38608 | WPD CID2 | Ch. 8 Criminal Investigation Division 2 | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Winston-Salem Police Department 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 Winston-Salem Police Department 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.
Forsyth County Context
Of the 2 public-safety agencies we track in Forsyth County, Winston-Salem Police Department is currently the only one we have flagged as encrypted.
See every agency we track in Forsyth County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Winston-Salem Police Department radio encrypted?
Our database lists Winston-Salem Police Department as using P25 ADP encryption, though this listing is unverified. Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Can I listen to Winston-Salem Police Department on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Winston-Salem Police Department as encrypting some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why do agencies like Winston-Salem Police Department encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Forsyth 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 Forsyth 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 Forsyth County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about Winston-Salem Police Department encryption?
Three things carry weight, in this order: a public-records request for Winston-Salem Police Department's encryption policy and radio recordings, a turn at the microphone during Forsyth County budget discussions, and finding the other people locally already asking the same question. Individually these are easy to deflect; together they are not.