Fairfield Police
Butler, Ohio
How we verified this
As of August 2026 the RadioReference listing for Butler County Law on Ohio MARCS-IP shows Fairfield City PD/FD Ops 4 and the city Ops 2/3 talkgroups flagged encrypted while the Fairfield main dispatch talkgroup is listed in the clear.
Encryption Details
Butler County Context
Butler County is a mixed picture: 2 of 9 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (22%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Butler County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairfield Police radio encrypted?
Yes. Fairfield Police uses P25 AES-256 encryption. This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.
Can I listen to Fairfield Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Fairfield Police encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Fairfield Police 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 Fairfield Police to know what was happening nearby.
Can Butler County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. Fairfield 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 Fairfield Police encryption?
Put the question to whoever signs off on Fairfield Police's radio budget: why full encryption rather than a delayed feed or tactical-only channels? File for the recordings and the decision documents alongside it, and link up with neighbours and local reporters in Butler County so the ask arrives as a group rather than a one-off.