NSW Police Talkgroups - Encrypted

 

 

Since every channel is encrypted there are no descriptions and the talk groups are only displayed here for educational purposes. Learn more about encryption on the homepage and below.

NSW Police Force on the PSN

The NSW PSN (formerly GRN) is a state wide APCO P25 Phase II trunked radio system used by emergency services and government agencies. NSW Police transitioned fully to this network for secure, interoperable communications.

Key Features

• • • • Encryption: All NSW Police talk groups are encrypted for operational security.

      • Coverage: State wide access across urban, regional, and remote areas.

      • Talk groups: Includes general dispatch, specialist units (e.g. Highway Patrol, Dog Squad, Tactical Operations), and regional channels.

      • Interoperability: Police units can access ESO/GL liaison channels (see relevant page for more information on ESO/GL) for coordination with Fire, Ambulance, SES, and other agencies.

Talkgroup IDs (TGIDs):

• • • • NSW Police uses a large block of encrypted TGIDs, typically in the range of 12000–12110 and beyond.

      • These TGIDs are assigned to specific commands, regions, or operational roles. For example, TGID 12001 might be a general duties channel in Sydney Metro, while TGID 12045 could be for Traffic and Highway Patrol in the Southern Region which is only conjecture as channel assignments arent public information.

         

Radio IDs (RIDs)

NSW Police radios typically use identifiable Unit IDs in these ranges:

• • • • 021####, 022####, 023####

      • 041#### to 045####

      • 070####, 214#### to 219####

These IDs help distinguish vehicles, handhelds, and control room assets across districts.

Operational Use

• • • • Dispatch Channels: Each Police Area Command (PAC) or Police District (PD) has dedicated encrypted talk groups.

      • Specialist Units: Tactical, rescue, marine, and aviation units use separate encrypted channels.

      • Events & Incidents: Temporary talk groups may be activated for major operations or public events.

Monitoring Limitations

Due to encryption:

• • • • Voice traffic cannot be monitored by standard scanners.

      • Only metadata (e.g. talkgroup IDs, RIDs) is visible to advanced logging tools.

      • Public monitoring is limited to non-encrypted agencies like SES or NPWS.

How Encryption Works on the NSW PSN

The NSW PSN is a Project 25 (P25) Phase II trunked radio system, and NSW Police uses its AES-256 encryption standard to secure communications.

Here's how it functions:

1. Digital Voice Encryption

• • • • All police talk groups are encrypted using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with 256-bit keys.

      • Voice transmissions are digitally scrambled and can only be decoded by radios with matching encryption keys.

      • This prevents scanners and unauthorized devices from listening in.

2. Key Management

• • • • Encryption keys are managed centrally by NSW Police’s Technology and Communication Services Command.

      • Radios are programmed with keys during provisioning and updated periodically.

      • Keys are rotated regularly or when a breach is suspected.

      • Keys are managed through a Key Management Facility (KMF).

      • Radios are loaded with keys via Over-the-Air Rekeying (OTAR) or direct programming.

      • Keys can be rotated regularly or changed during sensitive operations.

         

3. Radio Authentication

• • • • Each police radio has a unique Radio ID (RID), often in ranges like 021####, 041#### or 214####.

      • Radios must authenticate with the network before transmitting, ensuring only authorized devices can access encrypted channels.

4. Talkgroup Security

• • • • Police talk groups are fully encrypted by default, including:

      • General duties and dispatch

      • Highway Patrol

      • Tactical Operations

      • Dog Squad, Marine Area Command, Aviation Support

      • Temporary or event-based talk groups are also encrypted when used by police.

Why Decryption Keys Aren’t Public

• • • • Legal Protection: Possessing or attempting to access encrypted communications without authorization is illegal under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and other state laws.

      • Operational Security

         

        Encryption protects:

      • Police tactics and officer safety

      • Personal information of callers and victims

      • Inter-agency coordination during emergencies