City of Willis
Montgomery, Texas
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference flags the Willis Police, Willis Police Tactical and Willis Public Works talkgroups on TxWARN as encrypted, and the Montgomery County Sheriff dispatch channels used by Willis are also flagged encrypted, so encryption extends beyond the recorded public-works scope.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Montgomery County Context
City of Willis isn't an outlier here: 5 of the 5 public-safety agencies we track in Montgomery County are fully encrypted (100%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Montgomery County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Every channel this agency runs, including day-to-day dispatch, is encrypted. That shuts out the public and local reporters, and it can complicate coordination with nearby agencies that still expect to hear it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Willis radio encrypted?
Yes — City of Willis's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 encryption. Every channel this agency runs, including day-to-day dispatch, is encrypted. That shuts out the public and local reporters, and it can complicate coordination with nearby agencies that still expect to hear it.
Can I listen to City of Willis on a police scanner?
No. City of Willis has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 AES-256. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did City of Willis encrypt their radio?
Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Montgomery 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 Montgomery County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for City of Willis 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 City of Willis encryption?
Start local: show up when Montgomery County officials discuss the budget for City of Willis, and ask specifically why full encryption was chosen over a delayed feed or tactical-only approach. File a FOIA request for recordings or policy documents, and connect with others nearby who want the same information — a coordinated ask carries more weight than an individual one.