Pennsylvania Game Commission
Statewide, Pennsylvania
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists the Game Commission's primary regional dispatch talkgroups and its higher-numbered law enforcement tactical talkgroups on PA-STARNet as encrypted, while alternate regional dispatch, LE Tac 1 and 2, fire-operations and admin talkaround talkgroups remain in the clear.
Encryption Details
What This Means
This agency encrypts tactical channels used for SWAT operations and sensitive investigations, but regular dispatch may still be accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania Game Commission radio encrypted?
Yes. Pennsylvania Game Commission uses P25 AES-256 encryption. This agency encrypts tactical channels used for SWAT operations and sensitive investigations, but regular dispatch may still be accessible.
Can I listen to Pennsylvania Game Commission on a police scanner?
Partially. Pennsylvania Game Commission encrypts its tactical channels, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Pennsylvania Game Commission encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Statewide 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 Statewide County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes — nothing about the underlying radio technology forces this. It's a decision Statewide County officials made and can revisit, and other communities have pushed departments back toward open channels through sustained council pressure and coalition-building.
What can I do about Pennsylvania Game Commission encryption?
File a FOIA request for Pennsylvania Game Commission'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.