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===Use of Ten-codes===
===Use of Ten-codes===
Some organizations and municipalities also use other codes in addition to the ten-codes. An example is the [[California Highway Patrol]]'s use of [[eleven-code]]s, and the use by the [[Port Authority Police]] of eight codes as part of their communication. However, codes are often used inappropriately. For instance, an exchange which might be "1 Mike 1, 10-20?" "First and Main" will actually be more like "1 Mike 1, what's your 10-20?" "My 20 is First and Main" -- it would be more efficient to simply ask "1 Mike 1, where are you?" "I'm at First and Main." On the other hand, there are times when the use of codes is most appropriate, even if less efficient than speaking "in the clear." For instance, using discreet codes for sexual assault, homicide, suicide and other such situations can prevent the victim and family from having to hear the description being broadcast to all within earshot. Even when the meaning is known, it is less of an emotional jolt to hear a set of numbers being ratt
Some organizations and municipalities also use other codes in addition to the ten-codes. An example is the [[California Highway Patrol]]'s use of [[eleven-code]]s, and the use by the [[Port Authority Police]] of eight codes as part of their communication. However, codes are often used inappropriately. For instance, an exchange which might be "1 Mike 1, 10-20?" "First and Main" will actually be more like "1 Mike 1, what's your 10-20?" "My 20 is First and Main" -- it would be more efficient to simply ask "1 Mike 1, where are you?" "I'm at First and Main." On the other hand, there are times when the use of codes is most appropriate, even if less efficient than speaking "in the clear." For instance, using discreet codes for sexual assault, homicide, suicide and other such situations can prevent the victim and family from having to hear the description being broadcast to all within earshot. Even when the meaning is known, it is less of an emotional jolt to hear a set of numbers being


==When Ten-codes should not be used==
==When Ten-codes should not be used==

Revision as of 06:41, 17 March 2009

Ten-codes, properly known as ten signals, are code words used to represent common phrases in voice communication, particularly by law enforcement and in Citizen's Band (CB) radio transmissions. The codes, developed in 1937 and expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO), allow for brevity and standardization of message traffic. They have historically been widely used by law enforcement officers in North America, although some departments have controversially attempted to prohibit their use.[1]

Historic overview

The development of the 10-codes began, in 1937, at a time when police radio channels were limited to reduce use of speech on the radio. Credit to the originator goes to Charles "Charlie" Hopper. He was the Communications Director at the Illinois State Police, District 10, located in Pesotum, Illinois. Hopper was involved in radio for many years and saw a need to abbreviate radio transmissions on State Police bands.[2] Experienced radio operators know that the first syllable of a transmission is frequently not going to be understood, but is a necessary part of "tuning in"; hence preceding every code with "ten" allows a better chance of understanding the critical portion. Also the radios of the day were based on vacuum tubes, with a small motor-generator (called a dynamotor) used to generate the high voltage (300-600 volts, depending on the type of radio) needed to operate the transmitter, and the dynamotor took 1/10 to 1/4 of a second to "spin up". The officers were trained to push the microphone button, and wait a moment, then talk, but sometimes they would forget and preceeding every code with "ten-" gave the radio transmitter time to come up to full power.

Ten-codes were later adapted for use by CB radio enthusiasts before its pop culture explosion in the late 1970s. The tremendous popularity of the 1975 Convoy song by C.W. McCall depicting droll conversation among CB-communicating truckers put several phrases, such as 10-4 for "understood" and what's your twenty? (10-20) for "where are you?" into common and enduring use in American English. The song was followed by a 1978 movie Convoy which further entrenched the use of ten-codes in casual conversation.

Use of Ten-codes

Some organizations and municipalities also use other codes in addition to the ten-codes. An example is the California Highway Patrol's use of eleven-codes, and the use by the Port Authority Police of eight codes as part of their communication. However, codes are often used inappropriately. For instance, an exchange which might be "1 Mike 1, 10-20?" "First and Main" will actually be more like "1 Mike 1, what's your 10-20?" "My 20 is First and Main" -- it would be more efficient to simply ask "1 Mike 1, where are you?" "I'm at First and Main." On the other hand, there are times when the use of codes is most appropriate, even if less efficient than speaking "in the clear." For instance, using discreet codes for sexual assault, homicide, suicide and other such situations can prevent the victim and family from having to hear the description being broadcast to all within earshot. Even when the meaning is known, it is less of an emotional jolt to hear a set of numbers being rattled off than to hear the word for the crime.

When Ten-codes should not be used

While ten-codes were intended to be a terse, concise, and standardized system, the proliferation of different meanings may render them useless in situations where people from different agencies and jurisdictions need to communicate. For that reason their use is expressly forbidden in the Incident Command System as is the use of other codes.[3]

In the fall of 2005, responding to inter-organizational communication problems during the rescue operations after Hurricane Katrina, the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) discouraged the use of ten-codes and other codes due to their high variability in meaning (see the November 2005 articles in External links, below). The Department of Homeland Security reportedly has plans to do away with 10-codes as well, in favor of "Plain English"[2] while the nationally-standardized Incident Command System specifically prohibits ten-codes. As of 2024, ten-codes remain in common use.

Mingled codes

In addition, many agencies mingle various codes, especially those which were using radio dispatch before the ten-codes were developed. For instance, the Los Angeles Police Department, which pioneered law enforcement radio communications largely set the standard for law enforcement communications in California. Dispatchers began using Penal Code sections in their broadcasts in the 1940s, and these code numbers are still used today, instead of the corresponding ten-code. The best-known include "187" (Homicide), "211" (Armed Robbery), "415" (Disturbance), "417" (Man (or woman) with a gun), "502" (Intoxicated Driver), "5150" (Mentally Ill Person). Generally these are given as two sets of numbers ("One Eighty-Seven" or "Fifty-One Fifty"), with a few exceptions such as "459" (Burglary), which is given as "Four-Five-Nine."

List of ten-codes

The following list, given in ascending order and grouped by decade, illustrates the current usage of various ten-codes. Only a handful of them are standardized. Some are fairly consistent, while others (such as 10-40) can have completely different meanings, many of which are not listed here.

Presentation:

  • Multiple meanings for the same code are in a bulleted list
  • The first bold definition is the current APCO specification.
  • Popular alternate meanings follow in bold.
  • Less common meanings are in regular typeface
  • Meanings specific to CB radio are set in italics.

10-0s

10-0s | 10-10s | 10-20s | 10-30s | 10-40s | 10-50s | 10-60s | 10-70s | 10-80s | 10-90s | 10-100s and up
Code Meaning(s)
10-00
  • Officer Down, All Patrols Respond
'(Ten-Double Zero)'
10-0
  • Caution
  • Death/Dead
  • Pursuit
  • Unit logging off (NZ Police)
10-1
  • Poor Reception
  • Officer Needs Help
  • Unable to Copy
  • Call your command (New York City)
  • Message to all units (NZ Police)
10-2
  • Good Reception
  • OK For Now, Continue With Status Checks
  • Return to your command (New York City)
  • Unit is en route to job (NZ Police)
10-3
  • Ok, No Further Status Checks Needed
  • Call your dispatcher {aka 'Central'} (New York City)
  • Hold all radio traffic, emergency on channel
10-4
  • Affirmative
  • Ok
  • Understood
  • Repeat your last transmission (NZ Police)
10-5
  • Relay
  • Pick up an item
  • Repeat message (New York City)
10-6
  • Busy
  • Out At Call
  • Stand by (New York City)
  • Change channel to... (NZ Police)
10-7
  • Out of Service
  • Ending tour of Duty
  • Deceased
  • Not functional (as a vehicle)
  • (Ambulance) On Scene
  • Request Break
  • Proceeding to ___
  • Unit has arrived at job (NZ Police)
10-8
  • Back In Service
  • On Duty
  • Available for next Call
  • (Ambulance) In Service / En Route
  • Unit busy but available (NZ Police)
10-9
  • Repeat last message
  • Urgent message (NZ Police)

10-10s

10-0s | 10-10s | 10-20s | 10-30s | 10-40s | 10-50s | 10-60s | 10-70s | 10-80s | 10-90s | 10-100s and up
Code Meaning(s)
10-10
  • Fight In Progress
  • Out of service, off duty
  • Permission to go on or speak freely on a common channel (car to car transmission, rather than through dispatch)
  • Negative
  • Transmission completed
  • Welfare check
  • Other non-Criminal Event
  • On Break, Subject To Calls
  • Possible Crime {Shots fired, suspicious person etc.} (New York City)
  • Person with felony warrant (Michigan)
  • Officer requires immediate assistance (NZ Police)
10-11
  • Animal Problem
  • Road-side check
  • Talking too fast
  • Alarm call
  • Person who reported the alarm ("Who's the 10-11 on this?")
  • En route
  • Alarm, specify type (New York City)
  • ____ On Duty (Utah)
10-12
  • Standby
  • Visitors present
  • Disregard
  • Call in reports
  • At scene
  • Check revocation
  • Security Holding, usually inside a store (New York City)
10-13
  • Advise Weather/Road Conditions
  • Officer in need of assistance
  • Mental health patient transport
  • Officer needs immediate assistance (New York City)
  • Running late by ___ minutes (Public Transportation)
10-14
  • Suspicious Person/Report of Prowler
  • Convoy or escort
  • Check Plate, Vehicle is occupied and suspicious, check if stolen (New York City)
  • Back on time (Public Transportation)
  • Information (Utah)
10-15
  • Civil Disturbance
  • Prisoner/suspect in custody
  • Check if Vehicle Stolen - People in or out rolling/stationary vehicle.
  • Domestic disturbance
  • Check Plate, whether occupied or otherwise, check if stolen (New York City)
  • Message Delivered (Utah)
10-16
  • Domestic Disturbance
  • Make pickup at ___
  • Non-urgent business (lights and siren not necessary)
  • Vehicle Stolen
  • Prisoner
  • License Check reports stolen (New York City)
  • Reply To Message (Utah)
10-17
  • Meet Complainant
  • Pick up papers at ___
  • Urgent business (lights and siren)
  • Conduct Investigation
  • Vehicle Not Stolen
  • En Route
  • Medical Emergency
  • Writing Report
  • License Check reports not stolen (New York City)
10-18
  • Urgent
  • Complete assignment ASAP
  • Anything for us?
  • Intoxicated (as a noun or an adjective)
  • Livestock on Roadway
  • Warrant Check shows active warrants (New York City)
10-19
  • Return to ______
  • Returning from Scene
  • Return/En Route To Station
  • Warrant Check shows no active warrants (New York City)
  • In Contact (Utah)

10-20s

10-0s | 10-10s | 10-20s | 10-30s | 10-40s | 10-50s | 10-60s | 10-70s | 10-80s | 10-90s | 10-100s and up
Code Meaning(s)
10-20
  • Specify Location/My Location is ___/Location
  • Report of past robbery (New York City)
10-21
  • Please Call ___
  • Phone Call
  • Report of past burglary (New York City)
10-22
  • Disregard
  • Report to ___
  • Send blood technician
  • Report of past larceny, specify type (New York City)
10-23
  • Arrived at Location/On Scene
  • Stand by on this frequency
  • Status check
  • En route to call
  • Sex offense
  • Meet with officer
10-24
  • EMERGENCY BACK UP
  • Clear call/stop
  • Trouble at station
  • Unit not available
  • Direct traffic
  • Report of past assault (New York City)
  • Assignment Completed (Utah)
10-25
  • Report to ___
  • Please Contact ___
  • Officer Needs Help
  • Report of past child abuse (New York City)
10-26
  • Detaining Suspect (implying "Please expedite")
  • Check auto registration
  • ETA ___
  • Disregard last info
  • Phone residence
  • Call canceled
  • Message Received
10-27
  • Request Drivers License Check
  • Vehicle Registration Request
  • I am moving to channel ___
  • Motor Vehicle Accident
  • Traffic stop
  • Felony crimes as follows (the "10" portion being commonly unstated):
    • 27-1 Homicide
    • 27-2 Rape or sexual assault
    • 27-3 Armed robbery
    • 27-4 Aggravated battery
    • 27-5 Burglary (commercial or residential)
    • 27-6 Theft
    • 27-7 Auto theft
    • 27-8 Shooting
    • 27-9 Stabbing
10-28
  • Request Vehicle Registration Check
  • Driver's license request
  • Identify your station
  • Missing person
10-29
  • Request Arrests/Warrants Check
  • Time is up for contact
  • Stolen Vehicle
  • Other past crime, specify (New York City)

10-30s

10-0s | 10-10s | 10-20s | 10-30s | 10-40s | 10-50s | 10-60s | 10-70s | 10-80s | 10-90s | 10-100s and up
Code Meaning(s)
10-30
  • Unauthorized use of radio
  • Danger/caution
  • Special check at ___
  • Juvenile
  • Robbery in progress (New York City)
10-31
  • Crime in progress
  • In pursuit
  • Domestic disturbance
  • Check for local warrants
  • Suspicious person or situation
  • Burglary in progress (New York City)
  • Pick Up (Utah)
10-32
  • Person with gun
  • Fight in progress
  • Radio check
  • Check NCIC
  • DWI test
  • Medic down
  • Breathalyzer
  • Larceny in progress, specify type (New York City)
  • _____ Units Needed (Utah)
10-33
  • Emergency, all units stand by
  • Officer needs help / the life of the officer is in danger
  • Disturbance at ___
  • Emergency Traffic
  • Fire
  • Threat or confirmed sighting of a bomb/explosive device (New York City)
10-34
  • Riot
  • Frequency open (cancels 10-33)
  • Help needed
  • Trouble at jail
  • Correct time
  • Meet officer
  • Assault in progress (New York City)
  • Time Check (Utah)
10-35
  • Major crime alert
  • Confidential information
  • Suspicious person
  • Record check returns Misdemeanor/Felony warrant
  • Child abuse in progress (New York City)
10-36
  • Correct time of day?
  • Confidential information
  • Safety/Security Check (Utah)
10-37
  • Suspicious vehicle
  • Identify yourself
  • Wrecker needed at ___
  • Shoplifter
  • Time of day?
  • Operator on Duty
10-38
  • Stopping suspicious vehicle
  • Traffic Stop
  • Hooker needed
  • Station report satisfactory
  • Road Block
  • Phone communications
  • Vandalism
10-39
  • Investigate suspicious vehicle
  • Run with lights & siren
  • Your message was delivered
  • Backing Up____
  • False alarm, premises were occupied
  • Contact officer
  • Disturbance
  • Resume previous assignment
  • Revert to prior status
  • Motorist Assist

10-40s

10-0s | 10-10s | 10-20s | 10-30s | 10-40s | 10-50s | 10-60s | 10-70s | 10-80s | 10-90s | 10-100s and up
Code Meaning(s)
10-40
  • Run silent (no lights & siren)
  • False alarm, no activity, premises appears secure
  • Please tune to channel ___
  • Expedite
  • Advise if available
  • Suspicious person
  • Dead animal
  • Mental patient
  • Fight
  • Meal Break
  • Shots fired
  • Out at station/office
  • Don't divulge location
10-41
  • Begin duty
  • Radio test
  • Intoxicated person
  • Debris in street
  • Switch to alternate channel
  • Neighbor trouble
  • Officer is out on a meal break
  • Female in Police Unit (Specifically someone of the opposite sex)
10-42
  • End duty
  • "Flush and Clean"
  • Traffic accident at ___
  • Malicious mischief
  • Request dispatch times
  • Home
  • Fatality
  • Call home
10-43
  • Information
  • Traffic jam at ___
  • Request criminal history
  • Pick up passenger
  • Armed robbery
  • Rescue call
  • Request officer
10-44
  • Permission to leave patrol
  • I have a message for you
  • Transmission received
  • Possible mental subject
  • Traffic accident (no injury)
  • Stolen (mostly vehicles)
  • Fatality
  • Suicide or attempt
  • Driver's license clear
  • Haz-Mat condition (New York City)
10-45
  • Animal carcass
  • Pick up officer
  • Fatality
  • Drivers License/Warrant Check
  • Fire alarm
  • Fueling vehicle
  • All units in range please report
  • Traffic accident (injury)
  • Property damage/car accident (non-injury)
  • Unit on a traffic stop
10-46
  • Motorist assist
  • Motor vehicle accident (MVA)
  • Wrecker
  • Car accident (injury)
10-47
  • Emergency road repair
  • Disorders and family trouble
  • Missing person
  • Drunk driver
  • Blood run
  • Paper Work
  • Request ambulance
  • Investigate Suspicious Vehicle (Utah)
10-48
  • Traffic control
  • Request criminal history
  • Did you copy?
  • Runaway juvenile
  • Use caution
  • Request wrecker
  • Ready to copy information
  • Blood alcohol report
  • Disturbing The Peace (Utah)
10-49
  • Traffic light out
  • EMERGENCY, clear air
  • En route to assignment
  • Any traffic/pending calls for this unit?
  • Warrant
  • Pedestrian on freeway
  • Serving warrant
  • Intoxicated/reckless driver

10-50s

10-0s | 10-10s | 10-20s | 10-30s | 10-40s | 10-50s | 10-60s | 10-70s | 10-80s | 10-90s | 10-100s and up
Code Meaning(s)
10-50
  • Officer Welfare Check
  • Traffic Stop
  • Accident Often referred to as a 10-50 PD (Property Damage), a 10-50 PI (Personal Injury), or (rarely) 10-50 F (Fire or Fatality)
  • No/negative
  • Break channel
  • Auto accident with property damage
  • Disorderly person/group (New York City)
10-51
  • Wrecker needed
  • Auto accident with injuries
  • Phone message
  • En route
  • Wandering gang, specify # of persons and direction
10-52
  • Ambulance needed
  • Accident with Injuries
  • Fatal auto accident
  • Message for assignment
  • Estimated Time of Arrival
  • Audible alarm
  • Dispute, specify if weapons, injuries (New York City)
10-53
  • Road blocked
  • Silent alarm
  • En route to office
  • Intoxicated/disorderly person
  • Officer is clear (from traffic stop/call for service)
  • Vehicle accident, specify if property involved or if injuries (New York City)
  • Dead on arrival (Salt Lake County Sheriff)
  • Traffic Control (Utah)
10-54
  • Negative
  • Animals on highway
  • Fatal Accident
  • Silent pursuit
  • Traffic stop, dangerous vehicle/location
  • Aided case {Injury, illness}
  • Traffic control (Salt Lake County Sheriff)
  • Change to Channel ____ (Utah)
10-55
10-56
  • Intoxicated pedestrian
  • Intoxicated Driver
  • Warrant indicated
  • Arrived at scene
  • Change location
  • Traffic Problem (Salt Lake County Sheriff)
10-57
  • Hit & run accident
  • Intoxicated Person
  • Narcotics
  • Officer at pistol range
10-58
  • Direct traffic
  • Wrecker
  • DOA
  • Teleprinter message
  • Mental patient (violent)
  • Follow-Up (Salt Lake County Sheriff)
  • Airplane Crash (Utah)
10-59
  • Escort or convoy
  • Out of car checking violation
  • Ambulance
  • Bomb threat
  • Mental patient (non-violent)
  • Reckless Driver (Utah)

10-60s

10-0s | 10-10s | 10-20s | 10-30s | 10-40s | 10-50s | 10-60s | 10-70s | 10-80s | 10-90s | 10-100s and up
Code Meaning(s)
10-60
  • Squad in vicinity
  • Traffic stop
  • Subject negative
  • What is next message number?
  • Assist motorist
  • Major emergency (FDNY)
  • Canceled
  • Coffee break
  • Out Of Car On Violator At ___ (Utah)
10-61
  • Personnel in vicinity (Is the subject within earshot of your radio?)
  • Subject has record - not wanted
  • Stand by for CW traffic
  • Clear of traffic stop
  • Weather conditions?
  • Lunch break
  • Motor Inspection (Utah)
10-62
  • Reply to message
  • Subject possibly wanted
  • Unable to copy, use phone
  • Check for rising water
  • Logged on/off
  • Unit involved in a fleet
  • Unauthorized Listener (RCMP)
  • Stolen Vehicle (Salt Lake County Sheriff)
  • Request Permission Car To Car (Utah)
10-63
  • Prepare to copy
  • Subject positive
  • Make written copy
  • Net directed to ___
  • Need barricades
  • Dispatch Coroner/OMI
  • Send Tow Truck (RCMP)
  • Vehicle burglary (Salt Lake County Sheriff)
10-64
  • Local message
  • Subject wanted
  • Message for delivery
  • Net clear, resume normal traffic
  • Field investigator
  • Stopping motorist for moving violation
  • House/Business check
  • Send Ambulance (RCMP)
  • Vandalism (Utah)
10-65
  • Prepare to Copy
  • Net message assignment
  • Assist officer re: 10-64
  • Kidnapping
  • Juvenile Problem (Utah)
10-66
  • Check Officer's well-being (make sure everything is still ok)
  • Net message cancellation
  • Acknowledge page
  • Subject in observation category
  • Major Crime Alert (Utah)
10-67
  • Clear for next message
  • Subject is parolee
  • Prepare to copy
  • Person calling for help
  • All units comply
  • Net Message (Utah)
10-68
  • Dispatch message
  • Subject in charged category
  • Repeat dispatch
  • Switch channels
  • Runaway Juvenile (Utah)
10-69
  • Message received
  • Clear to copy transmission? (assumes unit is not alone or with subject)
  • Dangerous subject
  • Any calls holding for me?
  • Sniper
  • Missing Person (Utah)

10-70s

10-0s | 10-10s | 10-20s | 10-30s | 10-40s | 10-50s | 10-60s | 10-70s | 10-80s | 10-90s | 10-100s and up
Code Meaning(s)
10-70
  • Fire alarm
  • Fire
  • Wrecker
  • Fire follow-up
  • Prowler
  • Bomb
  • Net message
  • Chemical spill
  • In progress (fight, domestic, etc)
10-71
  • Advise nature of fire
  • Lewd or Sexual Act
  • Exploded Bomb
  • Ambulance)
10-72
  • Report progress on fire
  • Subject is in PROHIBITED category (ie-drive, possess firearms, etc)*
  • D.O.A.
  • Prisoner in custody
  • Suicide or Attempted Suicide
  • Fire Truck
  • Turkey Sandwich (New Jersey)
10-73
  • Smoke report
  • Mental patient
  • Abandoned vehicle
  • Rape (Utah)
10-74
  • Negative
  • No messages/pending business at this time
  • Theft
  • Civil Disturbance (Utah)
10-75
  • In contact with...
  • Juvenile Trouble
  • Domestic Problem (Utah)
10-76
  • En route to location
  • See complainant
10-77
  • ETA
  • Situation Under Control
  • Hijacking
  • Return To _____ (Utah)
10-78
  • Need assistance
  • Major accident with injury
  • Request wrecker
  • Back Up _____ (Utah)
10-79
  • Notify coroner
  • Bomb threat
  • Hit & run
  • Stolen bicycle (Salt Lake County Sheriff)

10-80s

10-0s | 10-10s | 10-20s | 10-30s | 10-40s | 10-50s | 10-60s | 10-70s | 10-80s | 10-90s | 10-100s and up
Code Meaning(s)
10-80
  • Pursuit in progress
  • Subject has been arrested
  • Bomb has exploded
  • Tower lights out
  • On assignment
  • Demonstration
  • Armed & Dangerous
10-81
  • Traffic stop initiated
  • Breathalyzer request
  • Burglar Alarm
  • Stop for interrogation
  • Officer ___ will be at your station
  • At vehicle maintenance
  • Civil disturbance/riot
  • Shoplifting (Salt Lake County Sheriff)
  • Breathalyzer Report (Utah)
10-82
  • Reserve lodging
  • Stop for interrogation/arrest
  • Traffic signal out
  • Cover assistance
  • Advise location and status
  • Prisoner In Custody (Utah)
10-83
  • Work/school crossing detail
  • Call station
  • Units stop transmitting
  • At radio shop
  • Officer in trouble
  • Confidential Information (Utah)
10-84
  • Advise ETA
  • Checking officer status
  • My telephone number is ___
  • Follow-up
  • Broken utility main
  • Special detail
  • Back-up officer
  • Visitors Present (Utah)
10-85
  • Arrival delay due to ___
  • Prepare to copy info
  • My address is ___
  • Patrol check of___
  • Loose livestock
  • Victims Condition (Utah)
 A. Fair B. Poor C. Critical
 D. Possible Fatality
 E. Obvious Fatality
10-86
  • Officer on-duty
  • Are there any messages/calls for me?
  • Utility line down
  • Crime in Progress (Utah)
10-87
  • Pickup or prisoner transfer
  • Pickup payroll check
  • Dead body
  • Meet with Officer
  • Respond with caution (Glen Cove, NY)
  • Abandoned Car (Utah)
10-88
  • Advise telephone
  • Station call
  • Special assignment
  • True alarm
  • Officer needs assistance
  • Man with a Gun (Utah)
10-89
  • Yes
  • Bomb threat
  • Send radio repair
  • Officer at academy
  • Welfare Check

10-90s

10-0s | 10-10s | 10-20s | 10-30s | 10-40s | 10-50s | 10-60s | 10-70s | 10-80s | 10-90s | 10-100s and up
Code Meaning(s)
10-90
  • Alarm Going Off
  • Bank Alarm
  • Radio repair to be at station
  • Officer at headquarters
  • False alarm
  • Officer in chief's office
  • Missing person
  • Lunch break
10-91
  • Pick up prisoner/suspect
  • Talk closer to the mic
  • Prepare your inspection
  • Vehicle fuel
  • Bank holdup alarm
  • Burglary (Utah)
10-92
  • Subject in custody*
  • Parking violation
  • Your signal is weak
  • Officer at court
  • Theft (Utah)
10-93
  • Blockage
  • Please check my frequency
  • Armed robbery (Salt Lake County Sheriff)
  • Unnecessary Use Of Radio (Utah)
10-94
10-95
  • Officer's Residence
  • Prisoner/suspect in custody
  • Transmit dead carrier for 5 seconds
  • Out At Home (Utah)
10-96
  • Mental patient
  • Detain prisoner/suspect
  • Request case number
10-97
  • Record Information

J1 Arrest Record Verified By Fingerprints J2 Could Be Armed/Dangerous J3 Has Assaulted Officers

  • Arrived at scene
  • Test signal
  • Possible wanted person in vehicle
  • Welfare check
  • Known offender
  • Officer at court
  • Dead body/Fatality
  • Shooting (Salt Lake County Sheriff)
10-98
  • Assignment complete
  • Prison/jail break
  • Criminal history indicated
  • Officer at juvenile court
  • Alarm (Glen Cove, NY)
  • Sheriff's Office check (Salt Lake County Sheriff)
10-99
  • Cardiac arrest/death
  • Warrants/stolen indicated- J1 Misdemeanor

J2 Felony J3 May Be Armed J4 Use Extreme Caution

  • Officer needs assistance/held hostage
  • Message Received(1-Person Unit)
  • Mission complete
  • What is my incident/report number
  • Unable to receive your signal
  • Traffic stop / violator
  • Need To Use The Restroom (urinate)

10-100s and up

10-0s | 10-10s | 10-20s | 10-30s | 10-40s | 10-50s | 10-60s | 10-70s | 10-80s | 10-90s | 10-100s and up
Code Meaning(s)
10-100
  • Misdemeanor Warrant
  • Dead body
  • Hot pursuit
  • Riot Conditions Exist
  • Controlled substance
  • Starting Security Check
  • Supervisor
  • (polite)Restroom break.
10-101
  • Ending Security Check
10-105
  • Dead on Arrival (DOA)
10-108
  • Officer down
  • Officer in danger
10-109
  • Suicide
10-110
  • Juvenile Disturbance
10-200
  • Police needed
  • Narcotics, drugs involved
10-1000
  • Felony Warrant
  • Dead Person
10-2000
  • Police required immediately

Other Police Codes

Some other police codes are as follows:

11-99

  • Officer Needs Assistance (CHP)

187

  • Homicide

253

  • Canadian Criminal Code Section for impaired diver

417

  • Man (or woman) with a gun

459

  • Burglary

502

  • Intoxicated driver

999

  • Urgent help needed
  • Officer in immediate life-threatening danger
  • Officer down

2301

  • Public Intoxication

148/149

  • DUI/DWI

9560

  • Mentally Ill

5150

  • Mentally Ill Person
  • Involuntary Psychiatric Hold

1192

  • DWI

Code 2

  • With lights, but without siren

Code 3

  • With lights and siren

Parodies

During the 1970s, some truck drivers and CB radio hobbyists responded to the increased use of ten-codes by the general public by inventing parodies of the ten-code with strictly humorous meanings. The best known were the 13-code and the 18-code.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Va. State Police Swap '10-4' For 'Message Understood'
  2. ^ a b James Careless (2006). "The End of 10-Codes?". Retrieved 2006-10-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency. Frequently Asked Questions - Compliance: NIMS Compliance - Overview Accessed: 05/08/2008 "Q: Our 911 center, which receives and dispatches emergency and non-emergency calls, has told us that we may not use 10-codes at all. I gather we must use plain language when using NIMS ICS. Is that correct? A: Yes, when engaged in incident response using ICS, plain language is required. The value of using 10-codes for simplicity and speed is lost when members of the response team are unaware of their meanings, as may occur in a multi-jurisdiction / multi-agency response event. As 10-codes used in one jurisdiction, or agency, are not the same as those used in another, it is important that responders and incident managers use common terminology to prevent misunderstanding in an emergency situation. While plain English is not required for internal operations, it is encouraged over 10-codes to promote familiarity within operational procedures used in emergencies."

See also

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