Police Radio Encryption in Montana
Montana has an encryption rate of 10%. Out of 84 tracked public safety agencies, 3 are fully encrypted, 11 are partially encrypted, and 70 broadcast in the clear.
Agencies by Type
Encrypted & Partially Encrypted Agencies in Montana
- Flathead County - Whitefish (Statewide) — Encrypted
- Highway Patrol District 4 Billings (Statewide) — Encrypted
- Highway Patrol District 7 Bozeman (Statewide) — Encrypted
- Airports (Gallatin County) — Partial
- Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) (Yellowstone County) — Partial
- Businesses (Gallatin County) — Partial
- Custer County (Custer County) — Partial
- Gallatin County (Gallatin County) — Partial
- Great Falls (Statewide) — Partial
- Great Falls International Airport (KGTF) (Cascade County) — Partial
- Interoperability (Statewide) — Partial
- Lewis and Clark County - Helena (Statewide) — Partial
- Yellowstone County (Fergus County) — Partial
- Yellowstone County (Yellowstone County) — Partial
Statewide Encrypted Systems
These agencies operate on statewide radio systems and serve multiple jurisdictions across Montana.
- Flathead County - Whitefish (Montana Public Safety Communications System) — Encrypted
- Highway Patrol District 4 Billings (Montana Public Safety Communications System) — Encrypted
- Highway Patrol District 7 Bozeman (Montana Public Safety Communications System) — Encrypted
- Great Falls (Montana Public Safety Communications System) — Partial
- Interoperability (Montana Public Safety Communications System) — Partial
- Lewis and Clark County - Helena (Montana Public Safety Communications System) — Partial
County Breakdown
30 counties tracked across Montana. 5 have at least one encrypted or partially encrypted agency.
View all 30 counties
| County | Agencies | Encrypted | Partial | Clear | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallatin County | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 30% |
| Yellowstone County | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 20% |
| Cascade County | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17% |
| Custer County | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17% |
| Fergus County | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7% |
| Beaverhead County | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0% |
| Flathead County | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0% |
| Glacier County | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| Lewis And Clark County | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| Big Horn County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Broadwater County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Hill County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Lincoln County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Madison County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Missoula County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Park County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Pondera County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Roosevelt County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Blaine County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Dawson County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Fallon County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Jefferson County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Lake County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Liberty County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Petroleum County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Phillips County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Richland County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Toole County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Treasure County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Wibaux County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
What This Means for Montana Residents
Montana has a relatively low encryption rate of 10%. The majority of public safety agencies (70 out of 84) still broadcast in the clear, meaning scanner listeners and journalists retain access to most emergency radio traffic.
Encryption status can change at any time as agencies upgrade equipment or adopt new policies. The RTDNA considers police radio encryption the #1 threat to journalism in America. Use our search tool to check specific cities and counties in Montana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is police radio encrypted in Montana?
In Montana, 3 out of 84 tracked public safety agencies use fully encrypted radio, and 11 use partial encryption. The overall encryption rate is 10%. Use the search tool on the homepage to check specific cities and counties.
Can I listen to police scanners in Montana?
Yes — 70 agencies in Montana still broadcast in the clear and can be monitored with a scanner. Check specific agencies using our search tool for detailed channel information.
How often is Montana data updated?
Data for Montana is synchronized weekly from RadioReference.com. Encryption status reflects the latest known radio configurations, though agencies can change their setup without notice. Report incorrect data.
Search all 84 agencies in Montana →
States with Similar Encryption Rates
Connecticut (10%) · Nevada (10%) · South Carolina (10%) · California (10%) · Nebraska (10%)
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