Police 10 Codes

What are police 10 Codes?

Police 10 Codes and signal codes refer to coded systems of numbers that correspond to activities or conditions emergency personnel encounter. They are usually transmitted by voice over the radio or used in a mobile data systems. Police officers and dispatch communications centers use 10 codes to relay messages back-and-forth. These codes are meant to assist emergency personnel such as police, by providing uniformity and clarity in communication. Police radio codes differ greatly throughout various jurisdictions and regions.

What's the difference between radio 10 codes and police signal codes ?

Police 10 codes tend to deal with officer disposition, scene disposition, time-and-place, and certain aspects of message transmission or characteristics of communication. Police signal codes focus primarily on a specific activity or the type of emergency at hand.

List of Police Radio 10 Codes
Agency specific list of police radio codes that will vary depending on jurisdiction.

10-1	Signal Weak
10-2	Signal Good
10-3	Stop Transmitting
10-4	Affirmative
10-5	Relay to
10-6	Busy
10-7	Out of Service
10-8	In Service
10-9	Repeat Your Traffic
10-10	Out, Subject to Call
10-11	Talking Too Fast
10-12	Official / Visitor Present
10-13	Weather Condition
10-14	Escort
10-15	Prisoner
10-17	Conduct Investigation
10-18	Expedite / Emergency Response
10-19	Return to Station
10-20	Location
10-21	Call PD by Telephone
10-22	Disregard
10-23	Standby
10-24	Trouble, Send Help
10-25	Make Contact With or In Contact With
10-26	Message Received
10-27	Driver License Check
10-28	Tag / Registration Check
10-29	Stolen Tag/Auto Check
10-29P	Wanted Person Check
10-30	Against Rules/Regulations
10-31	Court
10-32	Breathalyzer
10-33	Emergency Radio Traffic
10-34	Out of City
10-35	Confidential Information

10-36	Time
10-37	Operator On Duty
10-38	Roadblock
10-39	Message Delivered
10-40	Intercity
10-42	Home
10-43	Information
10-45	Call ___ at ____
10-46	Urgent
10-48	Message Ended. Did you receive ?
10-49	Bank Run Detail
10-50	Traffic Stop
10-51	Enroute
10-52	ETA
10-53	Coming By Office
10-54	Negative
10-55	Car Calling Car
10-56	Meet ___ at ____
10-57	Backup
10-60	Fire is Out
10-61	Report / Paperwork
10-65	Can You Copy?
10-66	Cancel
10-70	Wrecker
10-71	Ambulance
10-74	Radio Check
10-76	Gas Pumps
10-77	Meal Break
10-80	Foot Patrol
10-81	Close Patrol
10-88	Contact Number or Person
10-94	Backup
10-95	Contagious Disease
10-97	Arrived on Scene
10-98	Completed Assignment

Examples of police 10 codes

"10-4, you can show me 10-51"
The officer affirms receiving the message (10-4) and is now enroute (10-51) to the predetermined location.

"I'm getting the complainant's 10-43"
The officer is getting the victim's information.

"10-1. Can you 10-9 your last transmission?"
The radio signal was weak or broken (10-1). The officer probably didn't understand the last message and to please repeat (10-9) the last transmission/message.

Examples of police signal codes

"I have a Signal 4 on 10th Avenue and Burrows Street. One driver appears possibly Signal 2"
The officer has happened upon a traffic accident at the intersection of 10th Avenue and Burrows. One driver appears to be drunk (Signal 2).

"The complainant stated there is Signal 35 activity in the parking lot"
Someone is alleging there is narcotics activity (e.g., drug deal) taking place in a parking lot at a predetermined location.

"Can you respond to a possible Signal 7 at the Oakridge Apartments?"
Dispatch is asking an officer if they are free to investigate a possible dead person at the Oakridge Apartments.

Signal code and 10 codes combined

"10-4, you can show me 10-51 to the Signal 40 audible"
The officer affirms receiving the message (10-4) and is now enroute (10-51) to the predetermined location where there the audible burglar alarm is being reported.

Related articles:

Police Signal Codes
A reference listing of police signal codes.

Police 10 Codes
A reference listing of police 10 codes.

Phonetic Alphabet
ALPHA through ZULU Phonetic Alphabet.

How to Use a Police Radio
Instructions how to use a police radio and how to transmit a message.

Navy Signal Flags
Navy Signal Flags with meanings and images of flags.

Morse Code SOS Distress
How to send a Morse Code SOS distress signal with example telegraph sound and flashing light SOS signal.

Morse Code
A reference listing of Morse Code.