Barlett Police Department
Shelby, Tennessee
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 12 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 203 | BPD C Records | Police Channel C: Records | Encrypted |
| 253 | BPD Tac 3 | Police Tactical 3 | Mixed |
| 251 | BPD Tac 1 | Police Tactical 1 | Mixed |
| 252 | BPD Tac 2 | Police Tactical 2 | Mixed |
| 30200 | BPD TN PTL 1 | Police: Patrol 1 | Encrypted |
| 30203 | BPD TN TAC1 | Police: Tac-1 | Encrypted |
| 30210 | BPD TN AC | Animal Control | Encrypted |
| 30204 | BPD TN TAC2 | Police: Tac-2 Race Command BMS Events | Encrypted |
| 30207 | BPD TN CID | Police: CID (Criminal Investigation Department) | Encrypted |
| 30208 | BPD TN SCU | Police: Street Crimes Unit | Encrypted |
| 30209 | BPD TN SWAT | Police: SWAT | Encrypted |
| 30542 | JBPD DISP | Jonesborough Police: Dispatch | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Barlett Police Department from the RadioReference API, and used it to set the encryption scope shown above — but no additional human-reviewed source (a live feed check or a dated news account) has been recorded for this record, so treat it as a data-quality correction rather than an independently confirmed verification. Check the live RadioReference database directly for current status.
If you monitor Barlett Police Department directly or have more current information, the fastest way to fix this is to update the RadioReference Wiki entry — our data pulls from there and from the RadioReference API on a regular refresh cycle.
What This Means
This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barlett Police Department radio encrypted?
Barlett Police Department is listed in our records with P25 AES-256 encryption — a listing we haven't yet verified against live talkgroup data. This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.
Can I listen to Barlett Police Department on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Barlett Police Department as encrypting some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why do agencies like Barlett Police Department encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Shelby County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor police department activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can Shelby County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for Barlett Police Department can also unmake it; there's no technical lock-in. The approach that has worked elsewhere combines public-records requests, direct council pressure, and a coordinated local coalition.
What can I do about Barlett Police Department encryption?
Contact the officials who oversee Barlett Police Department's budget directly and ask why full encryption was chosen over partial alternatives. Pair that with a FOIA request for recordings and policy records, and look for an existing coalition in Shelby County, or start one, since agencies respond differently to organized, sustained pressure than to individual complaints.