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]
While "ten codes" were intended to be a terse, concise, and standardized system, the proliferation of different meanings has rendered it useless for situations where people from different agencies and jurisdictions need to communicate. For this reason its use is expressly forbidden in the Incident Command System .
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 Port Authority Police use of eight codes as part of their communication.
Historic overview
Ten-codes were developed in the 1940s 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 Urbana, Illinois. Hopper was involved in radio for many years and saw a need to abbreviate radio transmissions on State Police bands.[ 2] 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? 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.
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.
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
Code
Meaning(s)
10-00
Officer Down, All Patrols Respond
'(Ten-Double Zero )'
10-0
Caution
Death/Dead
Pursuit
10-1
Poor Reception
Officer Needs Help
Unable to Copy
Call your command (New York City)
10-2
Good Reception
OK For Now, Continue With Status Checks
Return to your command (New York City)
10-3
Stop Transmitting
Ok, No Further Status Checks Needed
Call your dispatcher {aka 'Central} (New York City)
10-4
Message Received
Affirmative
Ok
Understood
I'm Poping A Boner
10-5
Relay
Pick up an item
Repeat message (New York City)
10-6
Busy
Out At Call
Stand by (New York City)
10-7
Out of Service
Ending tour of Duty
Deceased
Not functional (as a vehicle)
(Ambulance) On Scene
Request Break
Proceeding to ___
10-8
Back In Service
On Duty
Available for next Call
(Ambulance) In Service / En Route
10-9
Repeat last message
Misdemeanor warrant (Michigan)
Copy that- confirm
10-10s
Code
Meaning(s)
10-10
Fight In Progress
out of service, off duty
Permission to go on 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)
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)
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)
Runing late by ___ minuets (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)
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)
10-16
Domestic Disturbance
make pickup at ___
non-urgent business (lights and siren not necessary)
Vehicle Stolen
License Check reports stolen (New York City)
10-17
Meet Complainant
pick up papers at ___
urgent business (lights and siren)
Conduct Investigation
Vehicle Not Stolen
En Route
Medical Emergency
License Check reports not stolen (New York City)
10-18
Urgent
complete assignment ASAP
anything for us?
intoxicated (as a noun or an adjective)
Warrant Check shows active warrants (New York City)
10-19
Return to ______
Returning from Scene
Return/EnRoute To Station
Warrant Check shows no active warrants (New York City)
10-20s
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)
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
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)
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)
10-33
emergency, all units stand by
officer needs help
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)
10-35
major crime alert
confidential information
suspicious person
Child abuse in progress (New York City)
10-36
correct time of day?
Confidential information
10-37
suspicious vehicle
identify yourself
wrecker needed at ___
shoplifter
time of day?
Operator on Duty
10-38
stopping suspicious vehicle
Traffic Stop
ambulance 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
10-40s
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
10-41
begin duty
radio test
intoxicated person
debris in street
neighbor trouble
officer is out on a meal break
10-42
end duty
"Flush and Clean"
traffic accident at ___
malicious mischief
request dispatch times
Home
fatality
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
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)
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
10-48
traffic control
request criminal history
Did you copy?
runaway juvenile
use caution
request wrecker
ready to copy information
10-49
traffic light out
EMERGENCY, clear air
en route to assignment
any traffic
Warrant
serving warrant
intoxicated/reckless driver
10-50s
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
in 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
enroute office
intoxicated/disorderly person
Vehicle accident, specify if property involved or if injuries (New York City)
10-54
Negative
animals on highway
Fatal Accident
silent pursuit
car stop
Aided case {Injury, illness}
10-55
10-56
intoxicated pedestrian
Intoxicated Driver
warrant indicated
arrived at scene
10-57
hit & run accident
Intoxicated Person
narcotics
officer at pistol range
10-58
10-59
escort or convoy
out of car checking violation
ambulance
bomb threat
10-60s
Code
Meaning(s)
10-60
squad in vicinity
traffic stop
subject negative
what is next message number?
assist motorist
major emergency
canceled
coffee break
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
10-62
reply to message
subject possibly wanted
unable to copy, use phone
check for rising water
logged on/off
Unathorized Listener (RCMP)
10-63
prepare to copy
subject positive
make written copy
net directed to ___
need barricades
Send Tow Truck (RCMP)
10-64
local message
subject wanted
message for delivery
net clear, resume normal traffic
field investigator
stopping motorist for moving violation
Send Ambulance (RCMP)
10-65
Prepare to Copy
net message assignment
assist officer re: 10-64
kidnapping
10-66
Officer wellbeing check (make sure everything is still ok)
net message cancellation
subject in observation category
10-67
clear for next message
subject is parolee
prepare to copy
person calling for help
all units comply
10-68
dispatch message
subject in charged category
repeat dispatch
switch channels
10-69
message received
clear to copy transmission?
any calls holding for me?
sniper
10-70s
Code
Meaning(s)
10-70
fire alarm
fire
Wrecker
fire followup
prowler
net message
chemical spill
10-71
Advise nature of fire
Lewd or Sexual Act
Ambulance)
10-72
Report progress on fire
Subect is in PROHIBITED category (ie-drive, possess firearms, etc) *
D.O.A.
Prisoner in custody
Suicide or Attempted Suicide
Fire Truck
10-73
Smoke report
Mental patient
10-74
10-75
10-76
10-77
10-78
need assistance
major accident with injury
request wrecker
10-79
10-80s
Code
Meaning(s)
10-80
pursuit in progress
subject has been arrested
bomb has exploded
tower lights out
on assignment
demonstration
10-81
traffic stop initiated
breathalyzer request
Burglar Alarm
stop for interrogation
officer ___ will be at your station
at vehicle maintenance
civil disturbance/riot
10-82
reserve lodging
stop for interrogation/arrest
traffic signal out
cover assistance
advise location and status
10-83
work/school crossing detail
call station
units stop transmitting
at radio shop
officer in trouble
10-84
advise ETA
checking officer status
my telephone number is ___
follow-up
broken utility main
special detail
back-up officer
10-85
arrival delay due to ___
prepare to copy info
my address is ___
loose livestock
10-86
10-87
pickup or prisoner transfer
pickup payroll check
dead body
Respond with caution (Glen Cove, NY)
10-88
advise telephone
station call
special assignment
true alarm
officer needs assistance
10-89
bomb threat
send radio repair
officer at academy
10-90s
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 mike
prepare your inspection
vehicle fuel
bank holdup alarm
10-92
Subject in custody *
parking violation
your signal is weak
officer at court
10-93
blockage
please check my frequency
10-94
10-95
prisoner/suspect in custody
transmit dead carrier for 5 seconds
10-96
mental patient
detain prisoner/suspect
request case number
10-97
arrived at scene
test signal
possible wanted person in vehicle
welfare check
known offender
officer at court
10-98
assignment complete
prison/jail break
criminal history indicated
officer at juvenile court
Alarm (Glen Cove, NY)
10-99
cardiac arrest/death
warrants/stolen indicated
officer needs assistance/held hostage
Message Received (1-Person Unit)
mission complete
unable to receive your signal
Traffic stop / violator
Need To Use The Restroom (urinate)
10-100s and up
Code
Meaning(s)
10-100
Misdemeanor Warrant
dead body
hot pursuit
controlled substance
Starting Security Check
Supervisor
10-101
10-105
10-108
officer down
officer in danger
10-109
10-110
10-200
police needed
narcotics, drugs involved
10-1000
10-2000
police required immediately
Other Police Codes
Some other police codes are as follows:
3500
2301
148/149
9560
5150
Involuntary Psychiatric Hold
1192
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 [ 3] and the 18-code.[ 4] .
References
See also
External links