Police Radio Encryption in North Dakota
North Dakota has an encryption rate of 22%. Out of 80 tracked public safety agencies, 4 are fully encrypted, 27 are partially encrypted, and 49 broadcast in the clear.
Agencies by Type
Encrypted & Partially Encrypted Agencies in North Dakota
- North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (Adams County) — Encrypted
- North Dakota Department of Corrections/ Parole and Probation (Adams County) — Encrypted
- North Dakota Game & Fish (Adams County) — Encrypted
- North Dakota Highway Patrol (Adams County) — Encrypted
- Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) (Cass County) — Partial
- Amateur Radio in LaMoure County (LaMoure County) — Partial
- City of Bismarck (Sheridan County) — Partial
- City of Bismarck (Burleigh County) — Partial
- Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (KDIK) (Stark County) — Partial
- Grand Forks County (Grand Forks County) — Partial
- Grand Forks County- City of Grand Forks (Statewide) — Partial
- Griggs County (Griggs County) — Partial
- Mercer County (Mercer County) — Partial
- Morton County- City of Mandan (Statewide) — Partial
- Mountrail County (Mountrail County) — Partial
- Mountrail County Business (Mountrail County) — Partial
- North Dakota State Fair Center (Ward County) — Partial
- Oliver County (Oliver County) — Partial
- Pierce County (Pierce County) — Partial
- Richland County (Richland County) — Partial
- Slope County (Slope County) — Partial
- Stark County (Stark County) — Partial
- Stark County- City of Dickinson (Adams County) — Partial
- Steele County (Steele County) — Partial
- Traill County (Traill County) — Partial
- Wahpeton (Richland County) — Partial
- Ward County (Ward County) — Partial
- Ward County Business (Ward County) — Partial
- Ward County- City of Minot (Adams County) — Partial
- Williams County (Williams County) — Partial
- Williams County- City of Williston (Statewide) — Partial
Statewide Encrypted Systems
These agencies operate on statewide radio systems and serve multiple jurisdictions across North Dakota.
- Grand Forks County- City of Grand Forks (North Dakota Statewide Interoperable Radio Network (SIRN 20/20)) — Partial
- Morton County- City of Mandan (North Dakota Statewide Interoperable Radio Network (SIRN 20/20)) — Partial
- Williams County- City of Williston (North Dakota Statewide Interoperable Radio Network (SIRN 20/20)) — Partial
County Breakdown
30 counties tracked across North Dakota. 18 have at least one encrypted or partially encrypted agency.
View all 30 counties
| County | Agencies | Encrypted | Partial | Clear | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountrail County | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 50% |
| Griggs County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| LaMoure County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Mercer County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Pierce County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Sheridan County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Slope County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Steele County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Ward County | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 38% |
| Stark County | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 33% |
| Adams County | 17 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 29% |
| Oliver County | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25% |
| Richland County | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 17% |
| Burleigh County | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17% |
| Traill County | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17% |
| Grand Forks County | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 13% |
| Williams County | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 13% |
| Cass County | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6% |
| Barnes County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Pembina County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Bottineau County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Dunn County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Emmons County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Foster County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Golden Valley County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| McKenzie County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Morton County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Ramsey County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Sioux County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Stutsman County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
What This Means for North Dakota Residents
North Dakota has a moderate encryption rate of 22%. While many agencies still broadcast in the clear, a growing number have moved to encrypted radio — particularly in urban areas and larger departments. Scanner listeners can still monitor 49 agencies statewide.
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 North Dakota.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is police radio encrypted in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, 4 out of 80 tracked public safety agencies use fully encrypted radio, and 27 use partial encryption. The overall encryption rate is 22%. Use the search tool on the homepage to check specific cities and counties.
Can I listen to police scanners in North Dakota?
Yes — 49 agencies in North Dakota 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 North Dakota data updated?
Data for North Dakota 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 80 agencies in North Dakota →
States with Similar Encryption Rates
New Hampshire (20%) · Alaska (20%) · Pennsylvania (19%) · Rhode Island (16%) · Idaho (16%)
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