Multnomah County, OR police scanner: police are encrypted. Here's what you can still hear.
Last checked: 27 Oct 2026
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office: MCSO said that from 3 June 2024 it moved to an encrypted radio network to talk with Portland's emergency dispatch center (BOEC). The channel is recorded; audio can be requested from BOEC, and media can still see active calls in BOEC's dispatch system. (Scope: police radio channel with BOEC dispatch.) Portland Police Bureau: OPB reported in August 2020 that Portland police scanners went quiet after the bureau encrypted its precinct dispatch channels. (Scope: precinct dispatch encrypted (2020).)
Confirmed encrypted (official), 31 May 2024. Reported (news), 31 Aug 2020
We haven't found an official or news source on fire radio encryption here yet. The FCC licenses below show whether the county's channels are analog or digital, not whether they are encrypted.
We haven't found an official or news source on EMS radio encryption here yet. The FCC licenses below show whether the county's channels are analog or digital, not whether they are encrypted.
What you can still hear
- Portland Police Bureau on an old analog scanner: Mixed: some analog, some digital (FCC licenses).
- Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (police radio channel with BOEC dispatch): encrypted, so no scanner hears it.
- Portland Police Bureau (precinct dispatch encrypted (2020)): encrypted, so no scanner hears it.
- Old analog scanner, county-wide: Mostly no: most main channels are digital (FCC licenses).
Agency by agency
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
EncryptedWhat: police radio channel with BOEC dispatch
Portland Police Bureau
Reported encryptedWhat: precinct dispatch encrypted (2020)
Old analog scanner: Mixed: some analog, some digital (FCC licenses)
Analog or digital?
Works on an old analog scanner? Mostly no: most main channels are digital. About 7 in 10 of the main licensees' channels with a clear mode are digital-only.
- Digital only: 64%
- Analog only: 24%
- Licensed for both: 12%
294 voice channels of the main licensees; 18 licensees with voice channels in the county. Licenses show analog or digital, never encryption. FCC ULS license file of 18 Oct 2026
Recommended scanner
Mostly digital (P25) Works on an old analog scanner? Mostly no: most main channels are digital. About 7 in 10 of the main licensees' channels with a clear mode are digital-only. From FCC licenses, which don't show encryption.
Top pick
Uniden SDS100 (handheld)
The county's main licensed channels are mostly digital. A digital P25 Phase II scanner hears analog and P25, wherever traffic isn't encrypted. It also handles simulcast sites, which licenses don't show.
- $689.99 Amazon
- $699.99 ScannerMaster
Prices as of 19 Oct 2026
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It doesn't change your price.
Cheaper P25 option
Whistler WS1065 (desk)
Hears P25 Phase I and II, but can struggle near simulcast sites. A good choice if you've confirmed the local system isn't simulcast.
- $351.49 Amazon
Price as of 19 Oct 2026
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It doesn't change your price.
What NOT to buy
- An analog-only scanner. The county's main channels are digital, so it would hear only a few.
- Anything sold as an “encryption decoder.” It won't play encrypted traffic.
Questions
Can I still listen to Multnomah County, OR police on a scanner?
Encrypted: Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (police radio channel with BOEC dispatch); Portland Police Bureau (precinct dispatch encrypted (2020)). Police agencies not named here haven't been checked yet.
Do I need a digital scanner in Multnomah County, OR?
Mostly no: most main channels are digital. About 7 in 10 of the main licensees' channels with a clear mode are digital-only. Licenses show whether a channel is analog or digital, not whether it's encrypted.
Which scanner should I buy for Multnomah County, OR?
Uniden SDS100 ($689.99 at Amazon, price as of 19 Oct 2026). The county's main licensed channels are mostly digital. A digital P25 Phase II scanner hears analog and P25, wherever traffic isn't encrypted. It also handles simulcast sites, which licenses don't show.
Are fire and EMS radios encrypted in Multnomah County, OR?
Fire: Not checked yet. EMS: Not checked yet. "Not checked yet" means we haven't found an official or news source so far.
Where does this information come from?
The analog or digital answer comes from the FCC's public license file of 18 Oct 2026: the voice channels licensed to public safety agencies with transmitter sites in the county. Encryption comes from official statements and news reports, each listed under Sources with its date.