Police Radio 10-Codes

Ten-codes, also referred to as 10-codes or ten signals, are a system of code words used by police officers to enhance voice communication. Developed in 1937, these codes were designed for brevity, clarity, and standardization in radio transmissions. Given the limitations of early radio systems, which had restricted channel capacity and often failed to transmit the first syllable of speech, the prefix “ten” was added to all numeric codes. This approach ensured that crucial information was consistently conveyed and received.

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