Leigh Haggerwood

Why the "ten"?

Why do they all start with ten? -- Tarquin 20:00 Apr 10, 2003 (UTC)

I'm told that in the days when mobile radio equipment used vacuum tubes it took the tx circuit about a quarter to a half second to warm up. This [scheme of first saying "ten", thus introducing a delay,] still allowed the main part of the signal to get through. knoodelhed 06:30, 3 Nov 2003 (UTC)

Experienced radio operators start by saying "Um" because the first part of any transmission is always lost. The way peoples ears work it is helpful to hear a part of a syllable before any meaningful words are said. 199.125.109.70 01:11, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

It's still present in PTT-Type (Push to talk) communication, there's a half-second delay from when you key down on your microphone to when you actually transmit. The 10 part of each code is to occupy that half second with a hard-syllablic T to help the radio "wake up" and catch your transmission. In case it doesn't, the only part necessary is the second half. Once you've said a code, it's not uncommon to stack codes to speak even faster: "10-14 to Area 2, then 85 to your 20 in approx. 5 mikes. 23 please. Copy?" would read in some circles as "I'm escorting someone to Parking Area 2, then I'll head to your location in 5 minutes. Can you standby where you are?" —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.24.252.14 (talk) 02:01, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

Personal experience

In my experience, by far the most common and consistent 10-code in civilian usage has been 10-20; it's been absorbed into such plain speech phrases as "what's your twenty?". Anyone want to expand or corroborate? Andrew Rodland 03:00, 30 July 2005 (UTC)

I'd say that 10-4 is probably the most common one I've heard. Though I've always heard it in its full form, in contrast to the "What's your twenty" that people commonly use for 10-20. Aruthra 19:21, 25 September 2005 (UTC)

Likewise, 10-21 (ring the office) and 10-19 (come back to the office/yard) are also fairly common. knoodelhed 07:52, 18 October 2005 (UTC)

I'd have to go with 10-4 —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Zab123 (talk • contribs) 22:01, 13 February 2007 (UTC).

10-23 usually means standby, 22 cancel, and 10-14 means escort (which may have radio phonetics added to it to indicate what type: Charlie for civilian, Patrick for prisoner, etc.) 208.24.252.14 (talk) 02:53, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

New codes

Hi guys. Recently I am playing a Police adventure game and there's some codes:

• 10-2: Radio Check
• 10-4: Well...as usual. "Affirmative"
• 10-15: Request Suspect information
• 10-25: Reporting Suspect information
• 10-35: Request backup
• 10-97: Arrived at scene
• 10-98: Handled situation

Are they correct?

Actually, 10-2 is supposed to mean "I hear you loud and clear", but it is commonly heard during radio checks. In my area, 10-15 means "suspect in custody". - Jeff

10-15 means suspect in custody, 10-97 and 98 are common too: 10-97 - On Scene, and 10-98, Assignent Completed. 10-35 is what we use for Suspect Information (10-35 meaning confidential info is about to be relayed.) We use California Highway Patrol's 11-Codes as well too: 11-10 and 11-11 for backup (11-10 for a request, 11-11 when officer safety is compromised).

The interesting matchups is with the different Penal Codes from state to state. 415 in a lot of states means a Public Disturbance, 211 for Robbery, 240 for Assault, 242 Battery, etc. 208.24.252.14 (talk) 02:09, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

Table format

First of all: I think putting the codes in tables was a good idea for the readability. Thanks for doing the work! :-) However, I suggest we use a little more width on the page, by putting the alternative meanings in a separate column beside the main meaning of each code. That will make the page a lot shorter in the vertical direction, and even more readable. I'll do it myself barring protests, and no one else beats me to it. --Wernher 11:00, 13 March 2006 (UTC)

Looks great! It's very functional, and I use it often when hearing the local PD. -Rolypolyman 03:52, 5 July 2006 (UTC)

I fixed the table for the 10-0's. --Bwefler 22:33, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

We need references

We can only speculate what some of the more obscure ten-codes, such as 10-70, mean unless we have some solid external references to substantiate them.  Denelson83  07:15, 14 April 2006 (UTC)

One organizations' 10-26 may be a Vehicle plate check, another may use it for a Bank Safeguard Detail, another may use it for a vehicle fire. That's the point: 10-code use is so different between organizations, aside from the APCO list there IS NO SOLID EXTERNAL REFERENCE. (Part of why for ICS use in Department of Homeland Security incidents, all radio traffic use of 10 codes are prohibited.)

And no organization is going to voluntarily give up their code sheet for Wikipedia, since the differences in the codes are almost on purpose so the uninitiated do not know what you're talking about regarding situations when you don't want the person to hear confidential information that may regard them. For example, If they hear a call in plain English, 10-15 would become, "Arrest the guy", and gives them a chance to act before you do. If an organization posts that code online as part of public information, all that gang members or organized criminals need to have to know what a cop is going to do to their accomplice, is a simple radio scanner and that listing.

If you insist on references, then what's needed is to erase all the codes that don't follow APCO usage, since they're the only agency that shares their list with the public. (Which is in the best interest of public safety agency usage: Fire Dispatchers, REACT volunteers, private security and Haz Mat teams use them as a jumping off point to make their own lists.) 208.24.252.14 (talk) 21:55, 8 April 2008 (UTC)

Interesting. And I agree. Ever sizable city probably has their own codes (official or unofficial), and this list is going to get out of hand unless we stick to standardized codes. Czolgolz (talk) 16:51, 9 April 2008 (UTC)

That's why the APCO list is accessible: Public Safety Dispatch usually has little-or-no risk for jeopardizing officer safety. (Lives aren't at stake when a Comm Center requests a Tow Truck to remove a downed vehicle, or to deploy Tree Branch Service during the Spring.) I agree, the other definitions need pruned down to 2 or 3 similar ones if no references are available, or removed if too many conflicting ones contradict an APCO definition. 208.24.252.14 (talk) 02:14, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

I’m also behind standardized codes for the mere fact that most cities may have their own sets of codes.--DavidD4scnrt (talk) 06:50, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

10-94 "Drag Racing"

Not that people don't call it drag racing, but shouldn't this be street racing? 06:40, 20 April 2006 (UTC)

Is there a source to call it one way or another? On my 10-code sheet, a 10-94 means an Assignment given to an officer is being delayed or reassigned. 208.24.252.14 (talk) 02:16, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

Let it be known

Many states have now gotten rid of the 10 code, including DC. (Unsigned)

It is decomissioned for a lot of Police Departments, with the placement of Laptop Computers to dispatch vehicles (which conveys a LOT more info than a standard radio channel ever could), all the radios are useful for is calling dispatch to confirm what Penal Code applies to a situation, and to use a Tactical Channel to communicate to other officers in the immediate vicinity on a bust or seizure attempt.

National Incident Management System, the format of all emergency radio and electronic communications used by the Department of Homeland Security completely deprecates the 10-code, preferring "Natural Language" and "Simplified English" communication (Using "En Route", "On Scene", "Task Complete", "In Service", etc.) to accomplish tasks. The reason why 10-codes aren't allowed under NIMS is simple... multiple departments: Fire, Public Safety, Police, FEMA... every set of 10-code would be different, and calling out in code would direct people from other organizations to act unpredictably, causing some to arrest people, others to bring a defibrillator, and others to look for people to escort safely to an exit... all from one Public Safety or Private Security guy calling a 10-26 to report property damage. 208.24.252.14 (talk) 01:56, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

"Police language"

Which was merged here had this additonal content.

---

Police language, also know as police speak, is based American laws and police codes. To begin, American law has it own language and has many difficult words.

Habeas Corpus- A series of writs (official court documents) allowing force to bring prisoners before a court.

Certiorari- A writ requesting view of a transcript from a lower court to a higher court to view previous court sessions.

Miranda rights- Document that serves as a reassurance of basic rights.

Corpus delicti- Evidence in a homicide. Basically, it is the body of the victim.

A common misconception, Corpus delicti has nothing to do with the body of a victim in a homicide investigation. I won't bother explaining what it really is. /Blaxthos

---

I don't know who added all of the info above, but it is in some cases misinformed and in others completely wrong. Bleh. /Blaxthos 17:43, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

Letter Abbreviations

MVA- Motor Vehicle Accident

RES- Recklessly Endangering Safety —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.167.192.166 (talk) 23:40, 10 October 2008 (UTC)

INJ- Injury

J- Juvenile involved

X- Female involved

UL- Unable to locate

PI- Personal Injury

PDO- Property Damage Only

FI- Field Interview

Nice. Where are these from? I see these being used more with Penal Codes than 10-code talk 208.24.252.14 (talk) 02:18, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

Code Calls

Code 8- Fire Alarm

Code 10- Bomb Threat

---

Rich Farmbrough, 00:18 31 December 2006 (GMT).

Now these REALLY ARE not 10-code related. "Code" calls vary far greater between organizations than 10-codes do. Some use numbers, colors, letters, codenames, etc. The most common use is what I hear Cops and EMT personnel use. Code 1, 2, 3 and 4 stand for "conditions", and escalate accordingly. "Code 1" is a low danger situation that still requires attention, "Code 2" is an Urgent Situation that may need additional support, "Code 3" for a life-and-limb emergency that demands attention and requires support, and "Code 4" as "No further action necessary" or "Situation Normal". Any other use of "Code" really varies from there... and is more of a piece for Voice procedure than 10 Codes. 208.24.252.14 (talk) 03:01, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

10-98

This is from "Convoy" (album version, 1976) by CW McCall: I says, "Pig Pen, this here's the Rubber Duck. We just ain't a-gonna pay no toll." So we crashed the gate doing ninety-eight I says "Let them truckers roll, 10-4." This does NOT go in line with the current WP definition of the 98. I'd say, in the song they mean a violent break-in, smashing the gates? -andy 80.129.112.52 11:24, 30 January 2007 (UTC)

Or maybe it just means ninety-eight miles per hour? /Blaxthos 04:13, 14 February 2007 (UTC)

Or maybe it was creative license... there's not many Odometer speeds that rhyme with the word "Gate" and sound as impressive as 98. :P 208.24.252.14 (talk) 02:20, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

Originator of civilian 10-codes?

I remember reading an editorial by Tom Kneitel (alias "Tomcat"), editor of CB Radio S/9 magazine, back about 1977, in which he claimed to have published the first-ever list of CB 10-codes in the February 1962 issue of his magazine (memory is a bit hazy on this date, it's now thirty years on). Before adding this to the page, does anyone have access to back issues of S/9 that can check on this assertion? Shalom S.

There was an APCO page mentioning the first published list, but I remember it to be an invention of the Iowa State Patrol... If I can find the source I'll post it as an addition to this page. Doesn't answer the Civilian Codes you refer to, but should be interesting for your reading nonetheless. 208.24.252.14 (talk) 02:27, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

10-100

In the 1970s in Albuquerque, New Mexico, almost all of the rank-and-file officers of the Albuquerque Police Department chose to go on strike due to a labor dispute. The agreed-upon code was the unused (at the time) "10-100" which, when broadcast repeatedly on all four radio frequencies, was the signal for all on-duty officers to drive to the local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, park their police cars, and begin the strike. They were joined there by off-duty officers. The strike lasted, as I recall, about two weeks, and at the conclusion, the officers voted to accept a monetary proposal by the City that was slightly less than that offered before the strike. Rockyabq 05:23, 23 May 2007 (UTC)

In the CB version of the ten-codes, 10-100 means to take a bathroom break. I have also heard "that's a big 10-100", meaning "that's a load of B.S.". Shalom S. 16:58, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

In our department, 10-100 was hot pursuit (sp?). It's generally understood that there is no standardization of ten codes.  :-( /Blaxthos 17:41, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

That's pretty easy to see from the article, which shows up to ten meanings for the same code (10-40). However it is downright stupid to throw the baby out with the bath water. 10 codes serve a vital purpose and could easily be standardized. 199.125.109.70 01:38, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

Yet a vital part of their use is the fact that they aren't. Our code for a run to the bank or prisoner transfer should be different that another agency's. If they're not, then Strong Arm Robberies and Breakouts would be a lot more popular. 208.24.252.14 (talk) 02:31, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

Ten-codes, "properly known as ten signals"

"properly known as ten signals" this statement is UNTRUE! They are known as Ten-codes

Ten-666

Rickshaw...is that some kind of joke? Czolgolz (talk) 00:13, 18 November 2007 (UTC) In fact, it looks like there are several joke entries in the 10-100 section. Someone should clean that up. Czolgolz (talk) 06:56, 18 November 2007 (UTC)

Haha, that was me

Municipalities

I removed 10 codes for Clovis, NM and others. There's not enough room for every municipality. Czolgolz (talk) 20:10, 7 January 2008 (UTC)