South Burlington Police
Chittenden, Vermont
How we verified this
As of August 2026 "460.175 S Burlington PD | Police Operations" is listed in P25E (encrypted) mode, while South Burlington Fire's dispatch, operations and tactical channels are listed as unencrypted P25.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Chittenden County Context
South 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
There is no partial access here: routine dispatch is encrypted alongside everything else, so a scanner picks up nothing from this agency at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Burlington Police radio encrypted?
Yes. South Burlington Police uses P25 AES-256 encryption. There is no partial access here: routine dispatch is encrypted alongside everything else, so a scanner picks up nothing from this agency at all.
Can I listen to South Burlington Police on a police scanner?
No. South Burlington Police has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 AES-256. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did South 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?
Nothing technical prevents it. South Burlington Police operates encrypted because someone decided it should, and decisions of that kind get revisited when councils hear sustained, organised pressure rather than isolated complaints.
What can I do about South Burlington Police encryption?
File a FOIA request for South Burlington Police's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Chittenden County who want the same access — state legislation requiring public radio access is the longer-term fix, but organized local pressure is what usually moves the needle first.