Encrypted University Police Departments
27 university police departments across the United States are documented as encrypting their radio communications, blocking public access to critical safety information. Our database holds 27 records of this type; the rest are ones our own checks found in the clear.
About University Police Departments
Campus police departments at colleges and universities.
Impact of Encryption
University police encryption prevents student journalists from covering campus safety and can hide patterns of campus crime from prospective students and parents.
Affected Stakeholders
- Student journalists
- Campus safety advocates
- Parents
- University administration
States with Most Encrypted University Police Departments
All Encrypted University Police Departments
Browse all 27 university police departments 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foothill-De Anza Community College District | CA | Santa Clara | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| East Michigan State University | MI | Washtenaw | Algorithm not published | Tactical Only |
| Grand Valley State University | MI | Ottawa | Algorithm not published | Dispatch Only |
| Kellogg Community College | MI | Calhoun | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Kellogg Community College | MI | Barry | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Schoolcraft College | MI | Wayne | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| University of Michigan-Flint | MI | Genesee | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Western Michigan State University | MI | Kalamazoo | Algorithm not published | Tactical Only |
| Rutgers University | NJ | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| City of College Station | TX | Brazos | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| City of West University Place | TX | Harris | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Houston Community College | TX | Harris | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Lone Star College | TX | Harris | Algorithm not published | Tactical Only |
| Rice University | TX | Harris | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| South Texas Community College | TX | Hidalgo | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| University of Texas Houston | TX | Harris | Algorithm not published | Tactical Only |
| University of Cincinnati | OH | Hamilton | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Wright State University | OH | Greene | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Georgia Gwinnett College | GA | Gwinnett | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Georgia State College University | GA | Baldwin | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Washington University | MO | St. Louis | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| University of Mary Washington | VA | Fredericksburg | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Washington and Lee University | VA | Rockbridge | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Eastern Kentucky University | KY | Madison | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| Lane Community College District DPS | OR | Lane | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| University of Maine at Orono | ME | Penobscott | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| American University | DC | District of Columbia | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many university police departments have encrypted their radios?
27 university police departments are documented as encrypted: 11 fully encrypted and 16 with partial encryption.
Which state has the most encrypted university police departments?
Michigan leads with 7 university police departments records, out of 27 tracked nationwide.
What encryption technology do most university police departments use?
For most of the 27 university police departments 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 university police radio matter?
University police encryption prevents student journalists from covering campus safety and can hide patterns of campus crime from prospective students and parents. Stakeholders most affected include student journalists, campus safety advocates, parents, university administration.
What can I do if my local university police 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
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