Hennepin County, Minnesota: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Hennepin County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Hennepin 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 Hennepin County
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Agencies in Hennepin County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Minnesota agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Edina Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Golden Valley Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Hennepin County Sheriffs Office | sheriff | P25 DES-OFB |
| Minneapolis Fire Department | fire | P25 AES-256 |
| Minneapolis Police Department | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Minnatoka Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Plymouth Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
| St. Louis Park Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Hennepin County, Minnesota?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Hennepin 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 Hennepin County?
Yes — 1 out of 8 agencies in Hennepin County use full encryption. An additional 6 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Hennepin County?
For Hennepin 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.