Ward County Sheriff's Dept.
Ward, North Dakota
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 13 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51101 | WARD SO 1 | Sheriff Main 1 | Encrypted |
| 51103 | WARD SO OPS 1 | Sheriff Ops 1 | Encrypted |
| 51104 | WARD SO OPS 2 | Sheriff Ops 2 | Encrypted |
| 51105 | WARD SO OPS 3 | Sheriff Ops 3 | Encrypted |
| 51106 | WARD LE PURSUIT | Sheriff Pursuit | Encrypted |
| 51107 | WARD SO FAIR OP | Sheriff State Fairground Ops | Encrypted |
| 51108 | WARD SO SP OPS 1 | Sheriff Special Ops 1 | Encrypted |
| 51110 | WARD SO TF OPS | BCI Task Force Ops | Encrypted |
| 51123 | WARD PD MAIN | Countywide Police Depts Main | Encrypted |
| 51124 | WARD PD OPS 1 | Countywide Police Ops 1 | Encrypted |
| 51125 | WARD PD OPS 2 | Countywide Police Ops 2 | Encrypted |
| 51401 | WARD CW MA 01E | Countywide Mutual Aid 1 | Encrypted |
| 51402 | WARD CW MA 02E | Countywide Mutual Aid 2 | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Ward County Sheriff's Dept. 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 Ward County Sheriff's Dept. 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.
Ward County Context
Ward County is a mixed picture: 2 of 4 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 Ward County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ward County Sheriff's Dept. radio encrypted?
Ward County Sheriff's Dept. is listed in our records with P25 DES-OFB encryption — a listing we haven't yet verified against live talkgroup data. This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.
Can I listen to Ward County Sheriff's Dept. on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Ward County Sheriff's Dept. 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 Ward County Sheriff's Dept. encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Ward County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor sheriff's office activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can Ward County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes, and some departments already have. Because encryption here is a choice rather than a technical necessity, the path back runs through the same people who chose it: budget hearings, records requests, and residents who keep asking in public.
What can I do about Ward County Sheriff's Dept. encryption?
Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for Ward County Sheriff's Dept., 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 Ward County with you.