Anacortes Police Department
Skagit, Washington
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists Anacortes Police dispatch (453.950) as encrypted P25, and Cascadia Daily News reported on March 31, 2026 that Anacortes was among the Skagit County agencies that had already moved to encrypted channels.
Encryption Details
Skagit County Context
Skagit County is a mixed picture: 2 of 5 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (40%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Skagit 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 Anacortes Police Department radio encrypted?
Yes — Anacortes Police Department's radio system runs on Other 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 Anacortes Police Department on a police scanner?
No. Anacortes Police Department has fully encrypted their radio communications using Other. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Anacortes Police Department encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Skagit County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor police department activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can Skagit County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Encryption is a policy choice made by department leadership or elected officials, not a technical requirement, so it can be reversed the same way. Public pressure, city council advocacy, and organized local coalitions have reversed encryption decisions elsewhere.
What can I do about Anacortes Police Department encryption?
Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for Anacortes Police Department, and the recordings themselves — because a specific request is harder to wave away than a general complaint. Then take what you learn to a council meeting, and bring others from Skagit County with you.