Burlington Police
Chittenden, Vermont
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference's Chittenden County listing shows "460.125 Burl Police | Police Operations" in P25E (encrypted) mode, while Burlington Fire's dispatch and fireground channels are listed as unencrypted P25.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Chittenden County Context
Burlington Police isn't an outlier here: 6 of the 6 public-safety agencies we track in Chittenden County are fully encrypted (100%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Chittenden County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency encrypts all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders can't monitor its activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington Police radio encrypted?
Yes. Burlington Police uses P25 AES-256 encryption. This agency encrypts all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders can't monitor its activity.
Can I listen to Burlington Police on a police scanner?
No. Burlington Police has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 AES-256. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Burlington Police encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Chittenden County incident is rarely part of the public record, whereas the consequences are easy to observe — no real-time accountability, and neighbouring agencies still in the clear left working around the gap.
Can Chittenden County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes — nothing about the underlying radio technology forces this. It's a decision Chittenden County officials made and can revisit, and other communities have pushed departments back toward open channels through sustained council pressure and coalition-building.
What can I do about Burlington Police encryption?
Put the question to whoever signs off on Burlington Police's radio budget: why full encryption rather than a delayed feed or tactical-only channels? File for the recordings and the decision documents alongside it, and link up with neighbours and local reporters in Chittenden County so the ask arrives as a group rather than a one-off.