By Megan Wells, Police1 Contributor
Police 10 codes are a common form of communication for LEOs. And while some departments are beginning to favor plain English over 10 codes, it’s still an important language to learn. Below is a fully comprehensive list of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) 10 codes.
What are police codes?
Police codes allow officers and dispatchers to communicate with efficiency and brevity over the radio. The verbal efficiency of police codes is a critical tool during an emergency situation when cops need to reach backup officers with warnings or other urgent messages. The codes, including the classic 10 codes, can vary greatly from department to department. The codes listed below are the most common shared codes across the U.S.
What does 10-1 mean?
The code 10-1 typically indicates that an officer’s radio signal is weak. This signal would be used by an officer to prepare dispatchers and fellow officers for a possible lack of communication or by a dispatcher to let an officer know that his radio is cutting out or static.
What is the police code for shots fired?
During active incidents, an officer-involved shooting will most often be indicated simply by the phrase “shots fired.” Some agencies use “Signal 36" to mean “shooting.”
What is the code for dead body?
Many agencies use the 10 code “10-67" to report a death. The code “10-66" also means “notify medical examiner.”
Police codes list
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 10-0 | Use Caution |
| 10-1 | Signal Weak |
| 10-2 | Signal Good |
| 10-3 | Stop Transmitting |
| 10-4 | Affirmative |
| 10-5 | Relay To/From |
| 10-6 | Busy |
| 10-7 | Out of Service |
| 10-8 | In Service |
| 10-9 | Say Again |
| 10-10 | Negative |
| 10-11 | _On Duty (Employee #) |
| 10-12 | Stand By (Stop) |
| 10-13 | Weather Conditions |
| 10-14 | Message/Information |
| 10-15 | Message Delivered |
| 10-16 | Reply to Message |
| 10-17 | En-route |
| 10-18 | Urgent |
| 10-19 | (In) Contact |
| 10-20 | Location |
| 10-21 | Call (__) by Phone |
| 10-22 | Disregard |
| 10-23 | Arrived at Scene |
| 10-24 | Assignment Completed |
| 10-25 | Report to (Meet) |
| 10-26 | Estimated Arrival Time |
| 10-27 | License/Permit Information |
| 10-28 | Vehicle Information |
| 10-29 | Records Check |
| 10-30 | Danger/Caution |
| 10-31 | Pick Up |
| 10-32 | __ Units Needed (Specify) |
| 10-33 | Need Immediate Assistance |
| 10-34 | Current Time |
| 10-40 | Fight in Progress |
| 10-41 | Beginning Tour of Duty |
| 10-42 | Ending Tour of Duty |
| 10-43 | In Pursuit |
| 10-44 | Riot |
| 10-45 | Bomb Threat |
| 10-45 | Bank Alarm |
| 10-47 | Complete Assignment Quickly |
| 10-48 | Detaining Suspect, Expedite |
| 10-49 | Drag Racing |
| 10-50 | Vehicle Accident |
| 10-51 | Dispatch Wrecker |
| 10-52 | Dispatch Ambulance |
| 10-53 | Road Blocked |
| 10-54 | Hit and Run Accident |
| 10-55 | Intoxicated Driver |
| 10-56 | Intoxicated Pedestrian |
| 10-57 | Request BT Operator |
| 10-58 | Direct Traffic |
| 10-59 | Escort |
| 10-60 | Suspicious Vehicle |
| 10-61 | Stopping Suspicious Vehicle |
| 10-62 | B and E in Progress |
| 10-63 | Prepare to Receive Assignment |
| 10-64 | Crime in Progress |
| 10-65 | Armed Robbery |
| 10-66 | Notify Medical Examiner |
| 10-67 | Report of Death |
| 10-68 | Livestock in Roadway |
| 10-69 | Advise Telephone Number |
| 10-70 | Improper Parked Vehicle |
| 10-71 | Improper Use of Radio |
| 10-72 | Prisoner in Custody |
| 10-73 | Mental Subject |
| 10-74 | Prison/Jail Break |
| 10-75 | Wanted or Stolen |
| 10-76 | Prowler |
| 10-77 | Direct Traffic at Fire Scene |
| 10-80 | Fire Alarm |
| 10-81 | Nature of Fire |
| 10-82 | Fire in Progress |
| 10-83 | Smoke Visible |
| 10-84 | No Smoke Visible |
| 10-85 | Respond Without Blue Lights/Siren |
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This article, originally published on September 26, 2016, has been updated.
