Minneapolis & Twin Cities: Scanner Access Severely Limited
The Twin Cities metro is one of the most heavily encrypted regions in the Midwest. Minneapolis Police, Hennepin County Sheriff, and most suburban agencies have locked down their radio communications. Here is what happened and what options remain.
Twin Cities Metro at a Glance
Minneapolis Police, the county sheriffs, and most suburban agencies have encrypted their primary communications. Few major metro areas have seen encryption spread this broadly.
The ARMER statewide system made encryption easy to turn on. What started as tactical channel encryption has expanded to cover routine dispatch and patrol operations across most agencies in the region.
Twin Cities Agency Encryption Status
| Agency | County | Type | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis Police Department | Hennepin | Police | Encrypted | 6 encrypted talkgroups; P25 DES-OFB encryption |
| Minneapolis Fire Department | Hennepin | Fire | Encrypted | 1 encrypted talkgroup for operations |
| Hennepin County Sheriff | Hennepin | Sheriff | Encrypted | Multiple encrypted talkgroups for LE use |
| Ramsey County Sheriff | Ramsey | Sheriff | Encrypted | 15 encrypted talkgroups—extensive encryption |
| St. Paul Police Department | Ramsey | Police | Partial | Some channels accessible; check RadioReference |
| Dakota County Sheriff | Dakota | Sheriff | Partial | 3 tactical channels encrypted; some operations open |
| Washington County Sheriff | Washington | Sheriff | Encrypted | 2 operations talkgroups encrypted |
| Scott County Sheriff | Scott | Sheriff | Encrypted | All LE dispatch encrypted |
| Edina Police Department | Hennepin | Police | Encrypted | Car-to-car encrypted |
| St. Louis Park Police | Hennepin | Police | Encrypted | Dispatch, operations, and city common all encrypted |
| Plymouth Police Department | Hennepin | Police | Encrypted | Car-to-car encrypted |
| Coon Rapids Police | Anoka | Police | Encrypted | Car-to-car talkgroup encrypted |
Note: This list is not exhaustive. The Twin Cities has dozens of municipalities. Check RadioReference Minnesota for complete, current status.
Minneapolis Police: The Backdrop
Following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020 and the protests and unrest that followed, Minneapolis Police accelerated encryption of previously accessible channels. The department maintains 6 encrypted talkgroups covering primary operations.
Transparency advocates and journalists noted that encryption expanded during the period when public scrutiny of MPD was most intense. The department cited officer safety. The timing did the argument no favors.
Technical Details: ARMER System
The Twin Cities uses ARMER (Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response), Minnesota's statewide P25 Phase II trunked radio system. The system provides strong interoperability across agencies and makes encryption straightforward to activate on any talkgroup.
System Specifications
- System: ARMER (Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response)
- Type: P25 Phase II TDMA Trunked
- Coverage: Statewide Minnesota
- Encryption Types: P25 AES-256, P25 DES-OFB
- Reference: RadioReference ARMER page
Scanner requirements
Monitoring unencrypted ARMER channels requires a P25 Phase II capable scanner such as the Uniden SDS100 or Whistler TRX-1. Budget $400-600 for capable equipment. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted channels, which now covers most Twin Cities law enforcement.
Alternatives to Scanner Monitoring
Scanner access is largely gone, but some tools for staying informed remain:
Local media
Local news outlets maintain contacts with law enforcement public information officers. Following breaking news accounts on social media fills some gaps, though both come filtered through official sources.
Citizen apps
Apps like Citizen aggregate user reports and some public data. They do not replace scanner access but can provide neighborhood-level awareness of incidents as they are reported.
Records requests
Minnesota's Data Practices Act lets you request audio recordings of radio communications after the fact. This does not provide real-time access, but it creates an accountability record you can act on.
FOIA templates →Policy advocacy
Changed policies are the only lasting fix. Engaging city councils, county boards, and state legislators is slower than listening to a scanner, but it is the path to reversing what has been done.
How to fight encryption →Advocate for Transparency in Minnesota
The Twin Cities' encryption rollout was a series of department and budget decisions by elected officials and agency leadership. Those decisions can be reversed. Here are the pressure points:
State-level action
Florida passed SB 1000 requiring transparency policies before encryption. Minnesota could pass similar legislation. Contact your state legislators and ask them to introduce a bill with specific access requirements.
City councils and county boards
These bodies approve department budgets and policies. Attend meetings during budget season and comment when encryption or radio system items come up. Agencies rarely face organized opposition on these decisions.
Work with local journalists
Newsrooms are directly harmed by encryption and have credibility with elected officials on the issue. Connect with local reporters and news organizations. Support legislation that protects press access to public safety communications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Minneapolis Police radio encrypted?
Yes. Minneapolis Police Department has 6 encrypted talkgroups using P25 DES-OFB encryption. Routine scanner monitoring of MPD is not possible with consumer equipment.
Can I listen to St. Paul Police on a scanner?
Partially. Ramsey County Sheriff has extensive encryption, but some St. Paul Police operations may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for current talkgroup status, as encryption levels vary by channel.
What scanner do I need for Twin Cities area?
The Twin Cities uses the ARMER P25 Phase II trunked radio system. You need a digital scanner capable of P25 Phase II, such as the Uniden SDS100 or Whistler TRX-1. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted channels, which now covers most Twin Cities law enforcement.
When did Minneapolis Police encrypt their radios?
Minneapolis Police began encrypting certain operations in the mid-2010s. Encryption expanded significantly following civil unrest in 2020. The department cited officer safety, though the expansion coincided with a period of intense public scrutiny of MPD conduct.
Are there any unencrypted agencies in the Twin Cities?
Options are limited. Some suburban departments and fire and EMS agencies maintain partially open communications. Dakota County Sheriff encrypts only tactical channels. For current status, check RadioReference's Minnesota ARMER pages.
Where can I find Twin Cities scanner frequencies?
The Twin Cities operates on the statewide ARMER system. Visit RadioReference.com and search for Hennepin County, Ramsey County, or Minnesota ARMER for current talkgroup listings. Look for which talkgroups are marked as encrypted.