Ashville Police
Pickaway, Ohio
How we verified this
RR MARCS-IP Pickaway County Law shows Ashville PD's only dedicated talkgroup, 'APD TAC7 - Ashville PD car to car/tactical (enc)', flagged full encryption, while countywide law dispatch remains clear.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Pickaway County Context
Pickaway County is a mixed picture: 1 of 3 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (33%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Pickaway County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Every channel this agency runs, including day-to-day dispatch, is encrypted. That shuts out the public and local reporters, and it can complicate coordination with nearby agencies that still expect to hear it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashville Police radio encrypted?
Yes. Ashville Police uses P25 AES-256 encryption. Every channel this agency runs, including day-to-day dispatch, is encrypted. That shuts out the public and local reporters, and it can complicate coordination with nearby agencies that still expect to hear it.
Can I listen to Ashville Police on a police scanner?
No. Ashville Police has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 AES-256. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Ashville Police encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Pickaway 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 Pickaway County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. Ashville Police operates encrypted because someone decided it should, and decisions of that kind get revisited when councils hear sustained, organised pressure rather than isolated complaints.
What can I do about Ashville Police encryption?
File a FOIA request for Ashville Police's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Pickaway 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.