Encrypted University Police Departments
27 university police departments across the United States have encrypted their radio communications, blocking public access to critical safety information.
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
Encryption Technologies Used
All Encrypted University Police Departments
Browse all 27 university police departments that have encrypted their communications.
| Agency | State | County | Encryption | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foothill-De Anza Community College District | CA | Santa Clara | P25 AES-256 | Fully Encrypted |
| Rutgers University | NJ | Statewide | P25 AES-256 | Fully Encrypted |
| East Michigan State University | MI | Washtenaw | P25 AES-256 | Tactical Only |
| Grand Valley State University | MI | Ottawa | P25 AES-256 | Dispatch Only |
| Kellogg Community College | MI | Calhoun | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted |
| Kellogg Community College | MI | Barry | P25 DES-OFB | Fully Encrypted |
| Schoolcraft College | MI | Wayne | P25 ADP | Fully Encrypted |
| University of Michigan | MI | Genesee | P25 ADP | Fully Encrypted |
| Western Michigan State University | MI | Kalamazoo | P25 DES-OFB | Tactical Only |
| City of College Station | TX | Brazos | P25 AES-256 | Partially Encrypted |
| City of West University Place | TX | Harris | P25 AES | Fully Encrypted |
| Houston Community College | TX | Harris | P25 AES-256 | Partially Encrypted |
| Lone Star College | TX | Harris | P25 AES-256 | Tactical Only |
| Rice University | TX | Harris | P25 AES-256 | Fully Encrypted |
| South Texas Community College | TX | Hidalgo | P25 AES-256 | Partially Encrypted |
| University of Texas Houston | TX | Harris | P25 AES-256 | Tactical Only |
| University of Cincinnati | OH | Hamilton | P25 AES-256 | Partially Encrypted |
| Wright State University | OH | Greene | P25 AES-256 | Partially Encrypted |
| Georgia Gwinnett College | GA | Gwinnett | P25 ADP | Fully Encrypted |
| Georgia State College University | GA | Baldwin | P25 ADP | Fully Encrypted |
| Washington University | MO | St. Louis | P25 ADP | Fully Encrypted |
| University of Mary Washington | VA | Fredericksburg | P25 AES-256 | Fully Encrypted |
| Washington and Lee University | VA | Rockbridge | P25 AES-256 | Fully Encrypted |
| Eastern Kentucky University | KY | Madison | P25 AES-256 | Specific Channels |
| Lane Community College District DPS | OR | Lane | P25 AES-256 | Fully Encrypted |
| University of Maine at Orono | ME | Penobscott | Analog Voice Inversion | Specific Channels |
| American University | DC | District of Columbia | DMR Enhanced Privacy | Fully Encrypted |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many university police departments have encrypted their radios?
27 university police departments across 12 states are documented as encrypted: 15 fully encrypted and 12 with partial encryption.
Which state has the most encrypted university police departments?
Michigan leads with 7 encrypted university police departments, out of 27 tracked nationwide.
What encryption technology do most university police departments use?
P25 AES-256 is the most common, used by 16 of the 27 encrypted university police departments tracked here (59%).
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.
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