Encrypted State Agencies
40 state agencies across the United States are documented as encrypting their radio communications, blocking public access to critical safety information. Our database holds 41 records of this type; the rest are ones our own checks found in the clear.
About State Agencies
State-level law enforcement agencies including state police, highway patrol, and investigative bureaus.
Impact of Encryption
State agencies cover major highways and provide backup to local departments. Encryption removes transparency from high-profile incidents and interstate activities.
Affected Stakeholders
- Interstate truckers
- Travel media
- Highway safety advocates
- State legislators
States with Most Encrypted State Agencies
All Encrypted State Agencies
Browse all 41 state agencies records. Open an agency for its verification status; records our checks found in the clear say so on their own page.
| Agency | State | County | Encryption | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berks County Department of Emergency Services | PA | Berks | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Montgomery County Department of Public Safety | PA | Montgomery | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Department of Homeland Security | MI | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance | NJ | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection | NJ | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Florida Department of Law Enforcement | FL | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Florida Highway Patrol | FL | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Illinois Department of Public Health | IL | Stateside | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Colorado State Patrol | CO | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Longmont Department of Public Safety | CO | Boulder/Weld | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Orange County Department of Emergency Services | NY | Orange | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| North Carolina Highway Patrol | NC | Staetwide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Tennessee Highway Patrol | TN | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Tennessee Highway Patrol - Capitol Protection Unit | TN | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources | VA | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| United States Department of Agriculture | LA | Parishwide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | SC | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| South Carolina Highway Patrol | SC | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services | NE | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Nebraska State Patrol | NE | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks | MS | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Tactical Only |
| Mississippi Highway Patrol | MS | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security | CT | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection | CT | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Department of Energy and Environmental Protection | CT | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Department of Motor Vehicles | CT | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| North Dakota Highway Patrol | ND | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Oklahoma Highway Patrol | OK | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Alaska State Troopers | AK | Borough wide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Department of Homeland Security Investigations | AK | Borough Wide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Maryland Department of Health and Metal Hygiene | MD | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Maryland Department of Information Technology | MD | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| Maryland Department of Natural Resources | MD | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Tactical Only |
| Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services | MD | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Wyoming Highway Patrol | WY | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Honolulu Department of Environmental Management | HI | Honolulu | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife | ME | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| South Dakota Highway Patrol | SD | Statwide | Algorithm not published | Tactical Only |
| Wisconsin Department of Health | WI | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | WI | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| United States Department of Defense | GU | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many state agencies have encrypted their radios?
40 state agencies are documented as encrypted: 13 fully encrypted and 27 with partial encryption.
Which state has the most encrypted state agencies?
Connecticut leads with 4 state agencies records, out of 41 tracked nationwide.
What encryption technology do most state agencies use?
For most of the 41 state agencies records here, no source we have checked names the algorithm: RadioReference marks a talkgroup as encrypted without naming the cipher. 0 have a published source naming it.
Why does encrypting state agency radio matter?
State agencies cover major highways and provide backup to local departments. Encryption removes transparency from high-profile incidents and interstate activities. Stakeholders most affected include interstate truckers, travel media, highway safety advocates, state legislators.
What can I do if my local state agency is encrypted?
Encryption is a policy choice made by department or elected leadership, not a technical requirement — it can be revisited. File a public-records request for the encryption decision, raise it at a city council or county commission meeting, and connect with others who rely on scanner access in your area.
Take Action for Transparency
Your voice matters. Here are concrete ways to advocate for open police communications in your community.
Contact Your Representatives
Use our templates to email your local officials about police radio encryption policies.
Get StartedRead Case Studies
See how encryption has affected real communities - from Chicago to Palo Alto.
View CasesSpread Awareness
Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.
Public Testimony
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