Tacoma Police
Pierce, Washington
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Tacoma Police from the RadioReference API, and used it to correct this listing’s encryption status — but no additional human-reviewed source (a live feed check or a dated news account) has been recorded for this record, so treat it as a data-quality correction rather than an independently confirmed verification. Check the live RadioReference database directly for current status.
If you monitor Tacoma Police directly or have more current information, the fastest way to fix this is to update the RadioReference Wiki entry — our data pulls from there and from the RadioReference API on a regular refresh cycle.
Pierce County Context
Of the 2 public-safety agencies we track in Pierce County, Tacoma Police is currently the only one we have flagged as encrypted.
See every agency we track in Pierce County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but its own RadioReference talkgroup data (reviewed 2026-09-28) shows 0% of its talkgroups actually encrypted. Any scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tacoma Police radio encrypted?
No. Despite earlier listings, Tacoma Police broadcasts in the clear. This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but its own RadioReference talkgroup data (reviewed 2026-09-28) shows 0% of its talkgroups actually encrypted. Any scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.
Can I listen to Tacoma Police on a police scanner?
Yes. Tacoma Police's own RadioReference talkgroup data shows its dispatch broadcasting in the clear — any scanner can receive it. Check RadioReference for frequencies and current status.
Why do agencies like Tacoma Police encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Pierce 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 Pierce County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes, and some departments already have. Because encryption here is a choice rather than a technical necessity, the path back runs through the same people who chose it: budget hearings, records requests, and residents who keep asking in public.
What can I do about Tacoma Police encryption?
Start local: show up when Pierce County officials discuss the budget for Tacoma Police, and ask specifically why full encryption was chosen over a delayed feed or tactical-only approach. File a FOIA request for recordings or policy documents, and connect with others nearby who want the same information — a coordinated ask carries more weight than an individual one.