Can I listen to Covington Police Department on a police scanner?

No. Covington Police Department has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 AES-256. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.

Why did Covington Police Department encrypt their radio?

Police departments typically cite officer safety and operational security as reasons for encryption. However, encryption also eliminates public oversight, prevents journalists from monitoring police activity, and can harm emergency coordination with other agencies.

Can Alleghany County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Encryption is a policy choice, not a technical requirement. Multiple communities have successfully reversed encryption decisions through public pressure, city council advocacy, and coalition building. See our guide on fighting encryption for specific strategies.

What can I do about Covington Police Department encryption?

You can: 1) Contact your local elected officials to express concerns, 2) Attend city council meetings during budget discussions, 3) File FOIA requests for radio recordings, 4) Join or build a local coalition advocating for transparency, 5) Support legislation requiring public access to police communications.

Police Department Fully Encrypted

Covington Police Department

Q: Is Covington Police Department radio encrypted?

Yes. Covington Police Department uses P25 AES-256 encryption. This agency encrypts all of their radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders cannot monitor their activities.

Alleghany, Virginia

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256

Scope All Operations

Technical Details P25 AES-256

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Low confidence

2 Total Talkgroups

1 Encrypted

1 Unencrypted

50% Encrypted

Radio System: Alleghany County (P25)

View 1 talkgroup

DEC	Alpha Tag	Description	Status
103	Covington PD 1	Covington Police 1	Encrypted

What This Means

This agency encrypts all of their radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders cannot monitor their activities.

Impact on Transparency

Journalists cannot monitor police activity for breaking news or investigative reporting
Community members cannot track police response to incidents in their neighborhood
Researchers cannot study police communication patterns and response times
Other first responders may face interoperability challenges during emergencies

Covington Police Department Alleghany, Virginia

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Covington Police Department

Encryption Details

Verified Talkgroup Data

What This Means

Impact on Transparency

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