City of Richardson
Dallas Colin, Texas
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference flags Richardson Police Dispatch and Police Records/Information as encrypted on the city's own Richardson P25 system, along with Fire Dispatch and Fire Ops 2, but Fire Ops 3 through Ops 8 are listed in the clear, which contradicts the recorded claim that Fire Ops 6, 7 and 8 are encrypted.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
What This Means
All traffic, including the day-to-day dispatch that used to be the public's window into police activity, now runs encrypted. Nothing from this department is receivable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Richardson radio encrypted?
Yes. City of Richardson uses P25 AES-256 encryption. All traffic, including the day-to-day dispatch that used to be the public's window into police activity, now runs encrypted. Nothing from this department is receivable.
Can I listen to City of Richardson on a police scanner?
No. City of Richardson has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 AES-256. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did City of Richardson 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 other agency response as it happens.
Can Dallas Colin County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. City of Richardson 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 City of Richardson encryption?
File a FOIA request for City of Richardson's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Dallas Colin 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.