Ten-code Information & Ten-code Links at HealthHaven.com

Ten-codes, properly known as ten signals, are code words used to represent common phrases in voice communication, particularly by law enforcement and in Citizens' Band (CB) radio transmissions. The codes, developed in 1937 and expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO), allow for brevity and standardization of message traffic. They have historically been widely used by law enforcement officers in North America, although in 2005, the U.S. federal government recommended they be discontinued in favor of everyday language.

[edit] History

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 for inventing the codes 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.^[1] 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 preceding 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.

[edit] Replacement with plain language

As of 2009, ten-codes remain in common use, but are increasingly being phased out in favor of plain language.^[2]

Codes are often used inefficiently. 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 considered 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.

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 nationally-standardized 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^[4]^[5] The Department of Homeland Security's SAFECOM program, established in response to communication problems experienced during the September 11 attacks also advises local agencies on how and why to transition to plain language.^[6]

[edit] Related 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 California 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." The well-known "420" for marijuana, however, originates from neither.^[7]

The California Highway Patrol uses eleven-codes, and the Port Authority Police uses eight codes as part of their communication.

Ten-codes are generally avoided in services such as amateur radio where other existing standards (Q code and prosigns for Morse code) are already long established. Aviation and marine radio is better served by Q-code, as the ten-code phrase lists were designed primarily for local police tasks while Q-code provides specific abbreviations for concepts related to aviation, shipping, RTTY, radiotelegraph and amateur radio.^[8] In radiotelegraph operation, a Q code is often shorter (as ten-codes require transmission of three prefix characters: 1, 0, hyphen) and provides standardization of codes, essential in international and shortwave communication.

[edit] List of ten-codes

While APCO International's current position states that plain speech communications over public safety radio systems is preferred over the traditional 10-Codes and dispatch signals,^[9] an APCO Bulletin of January, 1940 lists 17 codes assigned as part of APCO Project 4; in 1973, APCO Project 14 provided a core list of codes from 10-1 to 10-39,^[10] with "optional" codes above 10-39.^[11]

A basic list (10-1 through 10-39) remains available on APCO's site as http://www.apco911.org/new/commcenter911/downloads/10codes.pdf Many additional codes have been added by individual local or regional first-response agencies; these are not standard across jurisdictions and may be problematic if multiple organisations must respond to the same incident. Only a handful of codes are standardized.

The following list, given in ascending order and grouped by decade, illustrates the current usage of various ten-codes.^[12] 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.

[edit] 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 Radio test 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) Telephone call Unit is en route to job (NZ Police)
10-3	Ok, No Further Status Checks Needed Stop transmitting Call your dispatcher {aka 'Central'} (New York City) Report to Headquarters Hold all radio traffic, emergency on channel Busy - Standby Unit Available (NZ Police)
10-4	Affirmative Ok Understood Repeat your last message (NZ Police)
10-5	Relay Pick up an item Drop off an item Repeat message (New York City) Out of service for a short time (now obsolete) (NZ Police)
10-6	Busy Out At Call Stand by (New York City) Change channel... (NZ Police)
10-7	Out of Service Ending tour of Duty 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) On Location of Incident (Ambulance) On route to hospital with patient Person with misdemeanor warrant (Michigan)

[edit] 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 Go to ____ 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) Officer is at home, or on call from home
10-11	Animal Problem Road-side check Talking too fast Prepare to copy Alarm call Person who reported the alarm ("Who's the 10-11 on this?") En route Alarm, specify type (New York City) Is ____ 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 immediate assistance/officer down Mental health patient transport Officer needs immediate assistance/Officer down (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) Disabled Vehicle 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. Motor Vehicle Accident 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 Hit & Run 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 Tow Truck Medical Emergency Writing Report License Check reports not stolen (New York City) Nothing for you.
10-18	Urgent Complete assignment ASAP Anything for us? Intoxicated (as a noun or an adjective) EMS Call Livestock on Roadway Warrant Check shows active warrants (New York City)
10-19	Return to ______ Returning from Scene Fire Call Return/En Route To Station Warrant Check shows no active warrants (New York City) In Contact (Utah)

[edit] 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) Sexual Activity on Campus
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 Meet for Official Business 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)

[edit] 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) Free and clear- valid
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 (Ohio)
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) Drunk Wet Himself (Vermont)
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 Station report satisfactory Road Block Phone communications Vandalism Computers Down (Utah)
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 Emergency

[edit] 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 Narcotics violation (Manassas PD) 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 Traffic History Report
10-43	Information Traffic jam at ___ Request criminal history Pick up passenger Armed robbery Rescue call Request officer Drivers License Report
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) Warrant Check
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 Coffee Break
10-46	Motorist assist Motor vehicle accident (MVA) Wrecker Car accident (injury) Urgent traffic only on this channel for (officer) at (location)
10-47	Emergency road repair Disorders and family trouble Missing person Drunk driver Blood run Paper Work Request ambulance Investigate Suspicious Vehicle (Utah) Vehicle Registration/License Plate Check (Kentucky)
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) Interstate Warrant (NCIC Hit)
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

[edit] 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 Officer need help or Emergency, need back-up (Puerto Rico) Disorderly person/group (New York City)
10-51	tow truck 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	Intoxicated driver or DWI Security check Ambulance call Coroner requested Officer Calling Officer
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)

[edit] 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) Ready for message (Manassas PD)
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) Disorderly subject (Manassas PD)

[edit] 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) Parking violation (Manassas PD)
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	Confirmed working fire In contact with... Juvenile Trouble Domestic Problem (Utah) Suspicious person (Manassas PD)	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) Mental Hygiene Arrest (MHA) (Monroe Co. NYS EMS)
10-79	Notify coroner Bomb threat Hit & run Stolen bicycle (Salt Lake County Sheriff) Transmit on Alternate Frequency

[edit] 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 Suspicious person Stolen vehicle (Manassas PD)
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) Prisoner in custody (Manassas PD)
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)(Manassas PD) Rape or Sexual Assault (Monroe Co. NYS EMS)
10-84	Advise ETA Checking officer status My telephone number is ___ Follow-up Broken utility main Special detail Back-up officer Visitors Present (Utah) IFA requires assistance
10-85	Arrival delay due to ___ En route to ___ Prepare to copy info My address is ___ Patrol check of___ Loose livestock Victim's Condition (Utah): Fair Poor Critical Possible Fatality Obvious Fatality
10-86	Officer on-duty Are there any messages/calls for me? Utility line down Crime in Progress (Utah) Advise Correct Time Reckless Driver (Kentucky) RADAR Detail (Manassas PD)
10-87	Pickup or prisoner transfer Pickup payroll check Dead body Meet with Officer Respond with caution (Glen Cove, NY) Abandoned Car (Utah) Tea Break
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

[edit] 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 Welfare Check (most Oklahoma) Prepare to copy
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) Sexual assault case (Manassas PD)
10-93	Blockage Please check my frequency Armed robbery (Salt Lake County Sheriff) Unnecessary Use Of Radio (Utah)
10-94	Street racing Change to channel Contact Your Home (Utah)
10-95	Officer's Residence Prisoner/suspect in custody Emergency Status Check 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 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 Escape in progress Bomb Warrants/stolen indicated (Manassas PD) (J2 Felony J3 May Be Armed J4 Use Extreme Caution)

[edit] 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 Retard in Danger
10-109	Suicide
10-110	Juvenile Disturbance
10-200	Police needed Narcotics, drugs involved Restroom break
10-1000	Felony Warrant Dead Person Officer Status Check
10-2000	Police required immediately

[edit] Other police codes

Some other police codes are as follows:

11-99

Officer Needs Assistance (CHP)

187

Homicide

211

Armed robbery

253

Canadian Criminal Code Section for impaired driver

311

Omaha police code for indecent exposure^[13]

415

Fight in progress

417

Person 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 1

Non-Urgent, Do so at your convenience

Code 2

Urgent

Code 3

Emergency, lights and siren

Code 4

Subject in custody, situation under control, no further assistance needed

Code 6

Standing by at ___

Code 7

Meal break

[edit] 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^[14] and the 18-code.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Misuse

People sometimes use the phrase "10-4-9er" when they actually mean "10-4" (affirmative) which could create confusion with the code "10-49" which means:

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

[edit] See also

10-8: Officers on Duty, a short-lived ABC police drama
CB slang
Eleven-code
NYPD ten-codes
Q code
Voice procedure
Z code

[edit] References

^ James Careless (August 2006). "The End of 10-Codes?". http://www.hendonpub.com/secure/articlearchive/details.asp?ID=756. Retrieved 2006-10-11.
^ http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=113738105
^ 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."
^ The End of the Ten-Code? – By Tim Dees, Officer.com, 9 November 2005
^ 10-4 no more? — By Megan Scott, asap (AP), 25 November 2005
^ http://www.safecomprogram.gov/NR/rdonlyres/5945AFE3-ADA9-4189-83B0-4D8218D0CA2F/0/PlainLanguageGuide.pdf
^ http://www.snopes.com/language/stories/420.asp
^ http://www.portland-amateur-radio-club.org.uk/resources/q-codes.pdf
^ http://www.apcointl.org/new/government/positionstatements.php
^ http://www.911dispatch.com/info/tencode.html
^ METCAD, primary 9-1-1 operator for Champaign County, Illinois
^ http://spiffy.ci.uiuc.edu/~kline/Stuff/ten-codes.html
^ http://www.radiolabs.com/police-codes.html
^ http://cmccord.co.uk/Radio/13-Codes.htm

[edit] External links

Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Ten Codes List
APCO Bulletin — The APCO Bulletin, January 1940. The first official publication showing the 10-codes (on page 8).
Official Ten-Code List

[end10codes-0] James Careless (August 2006). "The End of 10-Codes?". http://www.hendonpub.com/secure/articlearchive/details.asp?ID=756. Retrieved 2006-10-11.

[1] ttp://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=113738105

[2] 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."

[3] The End of the Ten-Code? – By Tim Dees, Officer.com, 9 November 2005

[4] 10-4 no more? — By Megan Scott, asap (AP), 25 November 2005

[5] ttp://www.safecomprogram.gov/NR/rdonlyres/5945AFE3-ADA9-4189-83B0-4D8218D0CA2F/0/PlainLanguageGuide.pdf

[6] ttp://www.snopes.com/language/stories/420.asp

[7] ttp://www.portland-amateur-radio-club.org.uk/resources/q-codes.pdf

[8] ttp://www.apcointl.org/new/government/positionstatements.php

[9] ttp://www.911dispatch.com/info/tencode.html

[10] METCAD, primary 9-1-1 operator for Champaign County, Illinois

[11] ttp://spiffy.ci.uiuc.edu/~kline/Stuff/ten-codes.html

[12] ttp://www.radiolabs.com/police-codes.html

[13] ttp://cmccord.co.uk/Radio/13-Codes.htm

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