Middleton Police
Butler, Ohio
How we verified this
As of August 2026 the RadioReference listing for Butler County Law on Ohio MARCS-IP shows Middletown PD/FD Ops 4 and the city Ops 2/3 talkgroups flagged encrypted while the Middletown 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 Middleton Police radio encrypted?
Yes. Middleton 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 Middleton Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Middleton 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 Middleton Police encrypt their radio?
The standard justification nationwide is officer safety and operational security, regardless of whether a documented local incident ever required it. The tradeoff that follows is consistent too: public oversight drops, and reporters lose the ability to track police department response as it happens.
Can Butler 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 Butler County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about Middleton Police encryption?
Put the question to whoever signs off on Middleton 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.