Dallas County, Texas: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Dallas County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Dallas 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 Dallas County
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Agencies in Dallas County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Texas agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| City of Addison | other | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Coppell | other | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Farmers Branch | other | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Garland | other | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Grand Prairie | other | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Irving | other | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Mesquite | other | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Rowlett | other | P25 AES-256 |
| Irving Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Grand Prairie Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Hutchins Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Sachse Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Rowlett Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Garland Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Dallas County, Texas?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Dallas 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 Dallas County?
Yes — 7 out of 14 agencies in Dallas County use full encryption. An additional 6 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Dallas County?
For Dallas 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.