Washtenaw County, Michigan: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Washtenaw County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw County
Affiliate Some links go to Amazon and earn us a small commission. Our picks are editorial; revenue funds advocacy, not recommendations.
Agencies in Washtenaw County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Michigan agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Chelsea Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| East Michigan State University | university | P25 AES-256 |
| Milan Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Northfield Township Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Pittsfield Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Saline Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Washtenaw County Interoperability | sheriff | P25 ADP |
| Washtenaw County Sheriff | sheriff | P25 DES-OFB |
| Ypsilanti Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Washtenaw County, Michigan?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw County?
Yes — 1 out of 10 agencies in Washtenaw County use full encryption. An additional 9 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Washtenaw County?
For Washtenaw 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.