City of Plano
Colin, Denton, Texas
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference flags Plano PD Dispatch 1 East and Dispatch 2 West as encrypted on the PAWMCo P25 system, contradicting the recorded claim that dispatch is exempt, though Plano PD Ops 1, Ops 2 and Events are still listed in the clear.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
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 City of Plano radio encrypted?
Yes — City of Plano's radio system runs on 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 City of Plano on a police scanner?
Partially. City of Plano encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did City of Plano encrypt their radio?
Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Colin, Denton County-specific evidence that open communications ever caused a problem, while the loss of public oversight and the friction with still-unencrypted neighboring agencies are both immediate and real.
Can Colin, Denton County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes, and some departments already have. Because encryption here is a choice rather than a technical necessity, the path back runs through the same people who chose it: budget hearings, records requests, and residents who keep asking in public.
What can I do about City of Plano encryption?
Contact the officials who oversee City of Plano'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 Colin, Denton County, or start one, since agencies respond differently to organized, sustained pressure than to individual complaints.