Oklahoma Highway Patrol
Statewide, Oklahoma
How we verified this
RadioReference's OKWIN page lists '839 / OHP ERT Tactical / Emergency Response Team Tactical / D Enc' and '773 / OHP Homeland Sec / Homeland Security Tactical / D Enc' as encrypted while the patrol's main '2609 / OHP Com Center / Communications Center' remains plain 'D' as of August 2026.
Encryption Details
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 Oklahoma Highway Patrol radio encrypted?
Yes. Oklahoma Highway Patrol 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 Oklahoma Highway Patrol on a police scanner?
Partially. Oklahoma Highway Patrol encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Oklahoma Highway Patrol 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 state agency response as it happens.
Can Statewide County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. Oklahoma Highway Patrol 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 Oklahoma Highway Patrol encryption?
File a FOIA request for Oklahoma Highway Patrol's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Statewide 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.