Smithfield Police Department
Isle of Wight, Virginia
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference flags both Smithfield Police talkgroups on the Peninsula Regional Radio System as encrypted, while the town's public-works talkgroup remains in the clear.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Isle of Wight County Context
Smithfield Police Department isn't an outlier here: 3 of the 3 public-safety agencies we track in Isle of Wight County are fully encrypted (100%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Isle of Wight County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
All traffic, including the day-to-day dispatch that used to be the public's window into police activity, now runs encrypted. Nothing from this department is receivable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smithfield Police Department radio encrypted?
Yes. Smithfield Police Department uses P25 ADP encryption. All traffic, including the day-to-day dispatch that used to be the public's window into police activity, now runs encrypted. Nothing from this department is receivable.
Can I listen to Smithfield Police Department on a police scanner?
No. Smithfield Police Department has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 ADP. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Smithfield Police Department encrypt their radio?
Agencies cite officer safety and operational security. Those are assertions rather than findings — no local evidence is typically produced — while the effects are concrete and land straight away on anyone who relied on hearing Smithfield Police Department to know what was happening nearby.
Can Isle of Wight County reverse the encryption decision?
It can. The radios support open and encrypted operation equally well, so this is a configuration and a policy, not a constraint — and policies set by Isle of Wight County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about Smithfield Police Department encryption?
File a FOIA request for Smithfield Police Department's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Isle of Wight 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.