Clark County, Washington: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Clark County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Clark 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 Clark County
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Agencies in Clark County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Washington agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Ground Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Camas Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Clark County Sheriff | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| La Center Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Ridgefield Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Vancouver Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Washougal Police | police | P25 AES |
| WSU Vancouver | other | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Clark County, Washington?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Clark 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 Clark County?
Yes — 5 out of 8 agencies in Clark County use full encryption. An additional 3 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Clark County?
For Clark 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.