Westerville Police
Franklin, Ohio
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists Westerville Police Administration and Police Detectives on Ohio MARCS-IP as encrypted, while Westerville Police dispatch, police tactical and police events talkgroups are listed in the clear.
Encryption Details
Franklin County Context
Of the 4 public-safety agencies we track in Franklin County, Westerville Police is currently the only one we have flagged as encrypted.
See every agency we track in Franklin County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This is a split system: certain talkgroups are encrypted while others remain in the clear, which means partial monitoring is still possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Westerville Police radio encrypted?
Yes. Westerville Police uses P25 AES-256 encryption. This is a split system: certain talkgroups are encrypted while others remain in the clear, which means partial monitoring is still possible.
Can I listen to Westerville Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Westerville 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 Westerville 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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about Westerville Police encryption?
File a FOIA request for Westerville 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 Franklin 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.