Police Scanner + Reviews

by Mattman2812

I used to like PoliceScanner but recently the ads became very intrusive. Now the ads pop up every time you put PoliceScanner in the background to check something else on your phone and come back. Many times the ads are missing the x to close them so I can’t figure out how to get them off the screen to do ANYTHING with the police scanner app until I force close PoliceScanner and start it again. So basically PoliceScanner is becoming useless since who wants to keep getting interrupted in the middle of listening to a broadcast?

by Pandora PDX

Happened across this on PoliceScanner Store, and was like:
“Oh yeah! That’s right! They have these thingies where you can listen in, to the police scanners”!! Had forgot these things existed LOL. Interesting to listen to. Your area, or anywhere else.
Ironically, the next day, my neighbors were having a domestic issue.. I knew police had to have been called; & sure enough, I heard it.. So it’s definitely fascinating.
Then I see there’s music stations worldwide, too!! Diff than my other platforms. I’m into electronic music, & the more unique styles of European deep house & minimal tech stations available for example, had me pretty dang excited!
3 stars for the tech issues, crashes, cutting out, etc., but other than that, it’s fun to clean house and listen to music, or to what’s going on in my city, crime-wise. Although I’m sure there are private, non-transmittable channels also used, it’s still cool to listen to occasionally.

by San Diego Drew

More and more lately I am using PoliceScanner to keep up with what’s going on in cities we’re friends and relatives live. It is sometimes difficult to really know what is going on across the country just by watching the news. Listening police another emergency frequencies in a city that interests you. Is a great way to keep up on what’s really going on in a town you’re loved ones live in. On a nostalgic note. I also very much love the old time radio shows that are available through PoliceScanner . It is also nice to hear classic art bell on those nights when I just can’t sleep.

by Guy Named Larry

PoliceScanner is ok for what it is. However, I wish it were more of a scanner and would really scan. As it is, you pick a channel to listen to and that’s it, but while you’re listening to that one something may happen on the other one you’re not listening to right now. On a real scanner, it scans all channels programmed into it. As it scans all the channels programmed wherever the action is is where it goes to so you don’t miss it. So while one may be silent the next one may have a call and it’ll automatically go to whichever one picks up traffic first.

by TwakJobthaGOD

First and foremost, I am not an expert pert. Obviously, if I was my name needn't be shown giving review; it would be listed underneath ownership

are designed almost identically to the other and to find one that meets all of the users needs while the others merely 'suffice'and the reasoning behind my endorsement this specific scanner because of two very different reasons once you begin your shopping and searching and comparing all the limited choices for an app that there isn't a wide range of options for the police scanner apps.

by CSRD1

I shouldn't complain about the ads since it's free but they can be a pain. Sometimes the full screen ads won't allow you to X out of them. 95% of the time it works great though. It's nice to know what's going on around my neighborhood!
Since the last iPhone update, I've been getting bumped off a lot! I'll play my game, which I've done several times in the past with no problems but now it's very annoying! Now I'm conflicted on my rating. Please fix!
June 2017:
Since my last post, I've learned that I have to update all my apps for this to work appropriately! I quits on me if I have anything pending. Also once you've established your station and if you can successfully "X" out of the ad, go the one page back, where you chose your station and then you can listen while doing other things on your phone without getting bumped off! I think leaving it on the clock page leaves it vulnerable to quitting! Now that I've figured all of this out, I can enjoy it! Thanks!

by Master Recourse

It would be beneficial for the listener if scanners could cover truncated communication so that both conversations on different channels could be heard between vehicle to vehicle communications between police or sheriff as we hear with dispatch to officers.

Anyway, I seem to miss out whats happening when I now of something taking place and the scanner has nothing to let me know whats happening with pursuits or other activity.
Easier to tune in on app versus real scanner.

by Liam The Zombie Killer

Like I said, interesting app. You will make what you will of what you hear. I see some people using it to fuel their paranoia, that's probably not the way to use it. The interface needs improvement though. It's not easy enough to navigate backwards. Sometimes you have to go through 4 or 5 steps just to get back to the home screen. I recommend adding a button that takes you back to the home screen from wherever you are.

by Cerridwenscall

I really enjoy PoliceScanner! Have not delved beyond the police scanner yet, as that was main reason to use it.
It works exactly as you would want for that. So many options! I live in a large city in CO and rest of my family live back in MI. This lets me not only know what is happening here in this huge city around me, but I can keep an ear out on my adult kids to👍🏼
Interesting how you learn that when police departments complain how underfunded they are, or under staffed, by hearing that on any given weekend, in any district, only 3-4 cars are on the late night shift, and complaint calls hold for over 24 hrs....you can understand the frustration from not only the people in the city, but very much so by the police who have to answer those insanely late response times! Last weekend Friday night, 2am, 4 different calls were held involving guns and knives simply because there was no one to respond!
Yup. Sorry for the long story, but PoliceScanner has actual learning value to it. 109% recommendation ✌🏽

by Mingo89'

It’s actually a great app. It’s not just great it’s freakin insane. It’s asome., I would love to see in time to come the state scanner channels mixed in with PoliceScanner. But besides everything else, PoliceScanner is really nice. I can actually know whats going on around town, and in emergency calls I can listen in before it comes out in the morning news,. Whoever made it possible, he or she or they are geniuses, heroes and I would give them a handshake cause it’s earned.

by Shepsclassics

I live in our state’s largest county. We have county fire/rescue/police and several cities with the county, plus marine. I live within city limits but work just outside those limits. I can bounce between channels to find out where all those emergency vehicles are headed so I can reroute my commute. I can tell what’s going on around me when I’m hearing multiple sirens. PoliceScanner runs while I’m doing other things on my phone (unless I close it) so I’ll hear it if something happens near me. I can listen to what’s happening near my friends and family. The ads don’t stop the streaming like some others do. I’m sure if I upgrade I’ll have more features but I’m fine for now.

by Swearta

Strange things happen and it’s fun to be informed. My parents were in an elder abuse situation in another state and having the scanner on alerted me to the situation. When returning to my home I was able to monitor to make sure that creep stayed away from them.
In an effort to protect my parents I also quickly learned how the local police department was biased and unable to address this situation professionally.

by Pammiepossum

I support and am thankful for men and women in the police force who are often vilified and get no thank you. I love the cops 👮‍♀️ who protect me day and night in Minneapolis. Thank you with all my heart ..... and I pray for you OFTEN. I feel so grateful for each and very one of you. Tears of thankfulness running down my cheeks now. God be your shield and armour And a lonely dinner with your precious family when you get home🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

by Mamaguchi66

Being able to listen to other areas helps to give a little better understanding of the hurdles some law enforcement agencies are up against. Descriptions of suspects and vehicles, and times of incidents or reports of shots fired are so crucial and it's obvious when listening that time is of the essence... On the Edge of my chair in Chicago and hollering out loud in Hawaii. Just wish officers voices to radio weren't the same as doctors writing is to prescription pads. IJS

by Kjkymotttjer

I think it is great for the public to have access to this type of application. It not only enlighten the public, but could be an opportunity for public to provide information. It should never be used by public in a mischievous manner! I think it could enhance the public’s outlook and understanding of what the police department deals with on a daily basis. By listening to this dispatch, officers often don’t have all information needed to do their jobs, so the public’s cooperation is desperately needed!

by Hwoodsr

It’s a very expensive install for most county/township. Ours paid 6.5 million 5 years ago. If anyone is wondering about their favorite or local channels missing, it’s not the apps fault, it’s the 911 centers ability to keep the criminal types from listening to dispatch. You might want to call the non-emergency phone number of the 911 center or someone in the county Sheriff’s office and ask if they encrypted their radio frequencies. 9 out of 10 times you’ll get they can’t tell you. So just Google it. Good luck scanning

by A55wanderer

Live in a small town and rarely anything happens. However, had a few occasions where PoliceScanner has come into play and helped tremendously. Had a flood where most of the town was knee deep in rushing river water and on another, a stolen car had been pulled over in town where the occupants began shooting at the police officer. The 3 suspects took off on foot and it felt like the whole world came down on top of our little town of 1200 people. The scanner kept us up on what was going on as it was happening and what part of the city they were looking so as I didn’t have to worry and grab my gun as well.
Great app

by DonPgh15108

I love PoliceScanner. The police and fire scanner allows me to pick up channels from all over the world. If you are bilingual, you’ll love listening to transmissions in Spanish, German, Russian, or a seemingly endless string of others worldwide.

I especially love the wide variety of available music genres. I can listen to music 24/7, if I want to, and the choices of genre lead me further to more options of the genre, including radio stations.

My only displeasure involves the Calm Radio subscription commercials that air almost every time a music selection is finished playing. It’s akin to listening to public radio - you can’t get around them, unless you subscribe.

by GJCO Listener

I've owned a handheld digital scanner for years, and it was with me for much of my free time and always when I was in the car. Unfortunately it got knocked off a table and is not working. PoliceScanner helps fill the gap pretty well. I like that I can listen to other areas from home and can tune in to home when traveling. I love that it has a timer that turns PoliceScanner off if I fall asleep listening. I listen almost exclusively to law enforcement/fire. The one thing I do not like about PoliceScanner is that more than one channel will run at a time. With City, County and Fire all going at the same time it is sometimes impossible to know what is happening. This is the next best thing to my handheld.

by Info Broker

I took my iPad to Russia with me, and scanned the genre of deep house, which I love.. I never would have stumbled so easily upon those stations...back here in Cali, I would have had to look a lot longer. I originally got app for local scanning of law enforcement...wouldn’t you know, my city doesn’t have anyone broadcasting those feeds... disappointing.. but not with PoliceScanner , I love not having all the pop up ads, with the upgrade..it was worth it !

by This Weeks Leader

I just don’t think candy crush adds should play right when you try to use an emergency app. That’s honest not cool. If you want an emergency app that’s not going to play adds multiple times before you can hear the scanner or use PoliceScanner at all, than don’t buy this. Honestly just don’t download it at all. Nothing but adds and wasting time every single time no matter what when you try to open it just adds adds adds! Don’t down load it’s nothing but adds not even one star.

Literally nothing but adds. Just stop with the adds I’m uninstalling this and I hate you! You made me late to hearing about a loved one dying in an accident!

by ThommyMac

this might seem like a shill or a plant but I have absolutely no connection to anyone involved with this product. When Bosco’s or whoever closed down in thus area a while back had real sales. I purchased an awesome scanner easily worth $150 for $25 & I loved it. It got lost or pinched during a move & I missed it terribly. This ain’t too shabby of a replacement, even the free version. Seriously, a great app.

by Chey975

I have been using PoliceScanner for quite a while now. I don't have one negative comment to make. I also love that I can record the feed I'm listening to. Keep up the great work and thank you!! P.S. For those of you who give a low rating because your area isn't available to listen to, it's not the apps fault! Some areas have made it so the public can't listen.