Police Radio 10-Codes

Ten-codes, also known as 10-codes or ten signals, are code words used by many police officers to aid with voice communication. The codes were originally developed in 1937 to allow for brevity, clarity, and standardization of messages transmitted over radio channels. On old radio systems, channels were limited so messages needed to be short. Also, the first syllable of speech was often not transmitted, so the syllable "ten" was prefixed to all numeric codes to ensure that the important information would be received.

Despite their usefulness, the exact meaning of ten-codes often varies between jurisdictions and locations. In addition to law enforcement, ten-codes are frequently used on Citizens' Band (CB) radio. One of the most frequently used ten-codes, 10-4, has become popular enough to sometimes be used in every-day language.

Code Description
10-00 Officer down, all patrols respond
10-0 Use caution
10-1 You are being received poorly / Cannot copy
10-2 You are being received clearly / Signal is strong
10-3 Stop transmitting
10-4 Affirmative / Understood / Message received
10-5 Relay message to [person]
10-6 Busy / Out at call
10-7 Out of service (completely)
10-7b Out of service (personal)
10-7c Out of service (court)
10-7od Out of service (off duty)
10-8 In service
10-8ot In service (over time)
10-9 Repeat last message
10-10 Negative / Fight in progress
10-11 Identify frequency / Dispatching too fast
10-12 Standby / Visitor(s) present
10-13 Advise weather and road conditions
10-14 Convoy or escort detail / Suspicious person
10-15 Prisoner in custody / Message delivered
10-15m Prisoner in custody (mental case)
10-16 Pick up prisoner / Reply to message
10-17 Pick up papers / En route
10-18 Urgent / Complete present assignment ASAP
10-19 Return to station or location
10-20 Your location
10-21 Call by telephone
10-21a Advise home I will return at [ETA]
10-21b Call your home
10-22 Disregard / Cancel last message
10-23 Arrived at scene / Stand by until channel clears
10-24 Emergency backup / Emergency at station
10-25 Report to [person] / Do you have contact with [person]
10-26 Detaining suspect / Check auto registration
10-27 Request drivers license check
10-28 Check registration on vehicle
10-29 Request arrests/warrants check
10-29a Check wants, subject [PIN]
10-29c Check complete, subject [NCIC]
10-29f Subject wanted, felony
10-29h Hazard potential from subject
10-29m Subject wanted, misdemeanor
10-29r Check wants and record, subject [PIN, CJIC]
10-29v Vehicle wanted
10-30 Does not conform to rules or regulations
10-31 Crime in progress / in pursuit
10-32 Person with gun
10-33 Emergency, all units stand by
10-34 Open door or window / Riot
10-35 Confidential information or open window
10-36 Provide current time of day
10-37 Identify yourself / suspicious vehicle
10-38 Traffic stop
10-39 Run with lights and siren
10-40 Run silent (no lights or siren)
10-41 Begin duty
10-42 End duty
10-43 Information
10-44 Permission to leave patrol
10-45 Condition of patient
10-45a Condition of patient - Good
10-45b Condition of patient - Serious
10-45c Condition of patient - Critical
10-45d Condition of patient - Dead
10-46 Motorist assist
10-47 Emergency road repair
10-48 Traffic control
10-49 Traffic light out
10-50 Officer welfare check / under influence of drugs
10-51 Tow truck needed / under influence of alcohol
10-52 Ambulance needed
10-53 Road blocked / Man down
10-54 Possible fatality
10-54d Possible dead body
10-55 Intoxicated driver
10-55d Send coroner
10-56 Intoxicated pedestrian / Suicide
10-56a Suicide attempt
10-57 Hit and run accident / Missing person
10-58 Direct Traffic
10-59 Escort or convoy / Security check
10-60 Squad in vicinity
10-61 Personnel in vicinity / Not wanted
10-62 Subject possibly wanted
10-63 Subject positive / Prepare to copy
10-64 Subject wanted / Found property
10-65 Net message assignment
10-66 Check officer's well-being
10-67 Clear for next message
10-68 Dispatch message
10-69 Clear to copy transmission?
10-70 Fire alarm / Prowler
10-71 Advise nature of fire / Shooting
10-72 Report progress of fire / Gun involved / D.O.A.
10-73 How do you copy / Smoke report
10-74 Negative / Theft
10-75 Severe weather statement
10-76 En route to location
10-77 Estimated Time of Arrival
10-78 Need assistance / Send ambulance
10-79 Notify coroner / Bomb threat
10-80 Pursuit in progress
10-80a Assist radio dispatcher
10-81 Traffic stop initiated / Breathalyzer request
10-82 Reserve lodging
10-83 Work/school crossing detail
10-84 Advise ETA
10-85 Arrival delay due to [cause]
10-86 Officer on-duty
10-87 Give call letters of your station
10-88 Advise phone number of officer
10-89 Bomb threat
10-90 Alarm going off / Bank alarm
10-91 Pick up subject / Prepare for inspection / Animal
10-91a Animal - stray
10-91b Animal - noisy
10-91c Animal - injured
10-91d Animal - dead
10-91e Animal - bite
10-91g Animal - pickup
10-91j Animal - pickup collect
10-91l Animal - leash law violation
10-91v Animal - vicious
10-92 Subject in custody / Parking violation
10-93 Blockage
10-94 Street racing
10-95 Officer's residence
10-96 Mental patient / Detain suspect
10-97 Arrived at scene / Record information
10-98 Assignment complete / Prison break
10-99 Cardiac arrest / Officer held hostage
10-100 Misdemeanor warrant / Out using restroom
10-101 Ending security check
10-102 Cruelty to animals
10-103 Disturbance
10-103f Disturbance by fight
10-103m Disturbance by mental person
10-106 Obscenity
10-107 Suspicious person
10-108 Officer down / Officer in danger
10-109 Suicide
10-110 Juvenile disturbance
10-112 Impersonating an officer
10-200 Narcotics, drugs involved
10-1000 Felony warrant / Dead person
10-2000 Police required immediately

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