Maricopa County, Arizona: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Maricopa County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Maricopa County
- Fire dispatch — most fire departments stay on open radio even when police go encrypted
- EMS / ambulance dispatch — emergency medical services often remain unencrypted for interoperability
- NOAA Weather Radio — direct NWS broadcasts on 162.400–162.550 MHz
- Public works & utilities — city maintenance, road crews, and utilities typically unencrypted
Recommended Scanners for Maricopa County
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Agencies in Maricopa County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Arizona agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Buckeye Police | police | P25 AES |
| Dear Valley Airport | airport | P25 AES-256 |
| Glendale Airport | airport | P25 AES-256 |
| Goodyear Airport | airport | P25 AES-256 |
| Goodyear Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Mesa Police Department | police | P25 AES |
| Phoenix City Services | other | P25 AES-256 |
| Phoenix Fire *SOON* | fire | P25 AES-256 |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport | airport | P25 AES-256 |
| Salt River Police | police | P25 AES |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Maricopa County, Arizona?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Maricopa County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels. Check the local fire and EMS frequencies which often remain unencrypted even when police go encrypted.
Is police radio encrypted in Maricopa County?
Yes — 4 out of 10 agencies in Maricopa County use full encryption. An additional 2 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Maricopa County?
For Maricopa County, we recommend a scanner that covers VHF and UHF frequencies for fire, EMS, and weather — the Uniden BC125AT is the best value. For broader exploration, the RTL-SDR V4 with free SDRTrunk software can scan the full spectrum.