Police Officer Codes: Complete List
Police officer codes are key in law enforcement communication. They offer a standardized way to share important information and coordinate emergency responses. These coded signals, like 10-codes, 11-codes, and 900-series codes, act as a universal language for officers.
They help officers share details about their location, status, and the incidents they’re handling. Whether it’s a routine traffic stop or a high-stakes emergency, these codes ensure critical information is shared quickly and consistently. This boosts the effectiveness of law enforcement operations.
Origins and Evolution of Police Radio Codes
Police jargon and officer lingo for law enforcement communication started over 80 years ago. In 1935, the Association of Police Communications Officers (APCO) introduced brevity codes. These were inspired by U.S. Navy symbols.
This move helped create the APCO 10 Signals, or police codes, in 1937. They were made to cut down on radio chatter.
Development of 10-Codes System
Charles “Charlie” Hopper, communications director for the Illinois State Police, is credited with creating the police code system. The 10-codes were made to make communication better and safer for officers. They helped standardize radio talk across agencies.
Standardization Efforts Across Departments
The 10-codes system was widely adopted, but standardization was a problem. The 1982 Air Florida Flight 90 crash in Washington showed this. The 2005 Hurricane Katrina also highlighted the issue of different code meanings.
This led the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to suggest using plain language instead of codes.
Historical Impact on Law Enforcement
The 10-codes system has greatly influenced law enforcement operations. Despite the U.S. government’s 2006 advice to stop using them, many departments continue. They worry about officer safety and the cost of retraining.
Using California Penal and Vehicle Codes in radio talk has also become common. This shows how TV shows like “Adam-12” have shaped police jargon and officer lingo.
Core 10-Code Series for Emergency Response
The 10-code system is key in police communication. It helps officers talk clearly and quickly during emergencies and daily tasks. This set of codes sends important signals for officers to share info, ask for help, and work together with dispatch and other police.
The core 10-code series has some very important codes. They are known and used everywhere in emergency and safety work. Here are a few:
- 10-0 (Use Caution): Tells officers to be extra careful in a situation.
- 10-33 (Emergency): Shows there’s a serious emergency that needs help right away.
- 10-78 (Need Assistance): Says an officer needs more help or resources for a problem.
There are more codes in the 10-code system. They help police talk and work together better. For example:
- 10-4 (Affirmative): Means the officer got the message or order.
- 10-9 (Repeat): Asks for the message to be repeated because it wasn’t clear.
- 10-20 (Location): Tells where the officer or the problem is.
These codes help police share important info fast. This makes sure they can respond well to many different situations.
Police Officer Codes for Vehicle-Related Situations
Law enforcement officers use standardized codes for different vehicle-related situations. These codes help them communicate and coordinate their actions. They cover everything from routine traffic stops to responding to accidents.
Traffic Stop Codes
Officers use codes like 10-27 (driver’s license check) and 10-28 (vehicle registration request) during traffic stops. These codes help them quickly get the driver’s license and vehicle registration information. This makes the interaction smooth and efficient.
Vehicle Registration Checks
Officers also use 10-27 to check if a vehicle is registered. This ensures the vehicle is properly registered and there are no outstanding issues. It helps them verify the vehicle’s ownership and history.
Accident Response Signals
When responding to accidents, officers use various codes to describe the situation. Codes like 11-79 (accident – ambulance sent) and 11-80 (accident – major injuries) help them dispatch the right emergency services. This ensures a quick and effective response.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 10-27 | Driver’s license check |
| 10-28 | Vehicle registration request |
| 11-79 | Accident – ambulance sent |
| 11-80 | Accident – major injuries |
| 11-81 | Accident – minor injuries |
| 11-82 | Accident – no injuries |
| 11-83 | Accident – no details |
Emergency and Priority Response Signals
Law enforcement in the United States uses many emergency codes and signals. These help them quickly respond to urgent situations. They let officers know how serious a problem is and what help they need.
Code 3 means they must rush with lights and sirens. It’s for life-threatening or very urgent cases. Codes like 10-33 and 11-99 also call for quick help, showing the urgency.
Police also use priority response signals to show how urgent a situation is. Code 2 means it’s urgent but not life-threatening. 10-18 means there’s a fight, and 10-40 means there’s a bomb threat.
These signals help police work together better. They make sure important situations get the right attention. Knowing these codes helps the public understand the urgency of certain situations.
Personnel Status and Location Codes
Police officers use standardized codes to share important info about their status and location. These officer status codes, police location signals, and duty status indicators help coordinate emergency responses and keep everyone safe.
Officer Position Reports
These codes are mainly for reporting an officer’s location and availability. “10-20” tells where an officer is, and “10-23” means they’ve arrived. These codes help dispatchers and other officers know where everyone is, making it easier to respond quickly to emergencies.
Duty Status Indicators
Duty status codes show if an officer is ready or busy. “10-6” means they’re busy, “10-7” means they’re out of service, and “10-8” means they’re ready for work. “10-41” starts an officer’s shift, and “10-42” ends it.
Location Verification Signals
Knowing an officer’s exact location is vital for emergency responses. “10-97” confirms an officer has arrived, helping dispatchers and others know where to go. This ensures resources are used efficiently and everyone stays safe.
These officer status codes, police location signals, and duty status indicators are critical for police communication. They help coordinate efforts in real-time, making police work more effective.
Criminal Activity and Suspect Description Codes
Law enforcement officers use a set of codes to share important info during emergencies. These codes help in keeping people safe and responding fast.
They use “10-codes” to report crimes. Codes like 10-31 (Crime in progress), 10-32 (Person with gun), and 10-66 (Suspicious person) help them talk clearly and quickly.
- 10-31: Crime in progress
- 10-32: Person with gun
- 10-66: Suspicious person
- 10-95: Pedestrian stop
For suspect descriptions, they use the phonetic alphabet. This way, they can share details like hair color and clothes. It helps others picture the suspect and act fast.
| Crime | Code |
|---|---|
| Murder – First Degree | 01 Criminal Homicide |
| Robbery – Armed | 03 Robbery |
| Battery | 00 None |
| Theft – Motor Vehicle | 06 Motor Vehicle Theft |
| Human Trafficking – Commercial Sex Acts | 09 Human Trafficking – Commercial Sex Acts |
| Deceptive Practices | 00 None |
| Criminal Damage to Property | 00 None |
| Unlawful Possession of Weapons | 00 None |
| Sex Offenses | 00 None |
| Gambling | 00 None |
These codes are key for police to share vital info fast. They help in coordinating efforts and responding quickly. This way, police can keep communities safer.
Emergency Services Coordination Codes
Good communication among emergency services is key in crisis times. A system of emergency codes helps with this. These codes make it easier for fire, medical, and law enforcement teams to share information.
Fire Department Communication
Fire departments use special codes to send out important messages. For example, Code 904 means there’s a fire. Code 904A is for car fires, and 904B is for building fires. These codes help firefighters act fast and right.
Medical Response Signals
Medical teams also use codes to get to emergencies quickly. Code 10-52 calls for an ambulance. Code 11-41 means they need to get there fast. But Code 11-42 means they don’t need to come.
Inter-agency Coordination
There are also codes for when different services need to work together. Code 10-33 means it’s an emergency, and everyone needs to come. Code 33 clears a channel for urgent messages, so everyone can talk without interruption.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 10-4 | Message Received, OK, Affirmative |
| 10-31 | Crime or criminal act in progress |
| 10-55 | Security checked / Intoxicated driver |
| 10-100 | All clear |
| 10-99 | Wanted stolen record |
| 10-44 | Permission to leave |
| 10-13 | Civilians present and listening |
| 10-73 | Smoke reported |
Emergency codes are a vital tool for first responders. They help teams work together better and respond faster in emergencies. Knowing and using these codes helps save time and makes their work more efficient.
California Penal and Vehicle Code Integration
Law enforcement officers in California face a complex legal landscape. They must understand the California Penal Codes and Vehicle Codes. These codes outline criminal offenses and traffic violations. Knowing these codes helps officers accurately handle incidents.
The Penal Code covers a wide range of crimes. This includes violent acts like California penal codes 187 (murder) and 211 (robbery). It also includes property crimes, such as 459 (burglary).
The Vehicle Code deals with driving offenses. This includes 23152 (driving under the influence) and 20001 (hit and run causing injury or death). It also covers 20002 (hit and run causing property damage).
Officers also need to know the Health and Safety Code. This includes laws on controlled substances, like 11350 (possession), 11351 (possession for sale), and 11352 (sale or transportation).
Officers must be skilled in using these California penal codes and vehicle codes. This skill is key for documenting incidents and building strong cases. Continuous training is vital for law enforcement legal codes to stay effective.
Bottom Line
Police officer codes are key in law enforcement talks, making sure messages are clear and safe. These codes have changed over time but are very important today. They help police in the U.S. do their jobs well and quickly.
Even as some police use plain language more, codes are essential in many places. They help police share important info fast. This makes police work more effective and quick to respond.
The future of police codes looks bright. Improving and standardizing these codes will help police talk better with each other. This way, they can serve and protect their communities even better.
