10 codes

[surfrescue]

Without going into the particular details, are 10 codes universal? Basically, will the 10 codes I use in my city be the same as in another jurisdiction? Thanks. Tim

[grrlcop74]

Nope.

Kristen

[surfrescue]

Thanks. If I may ask, is there a reason that these haven't been made universal? It would seem to make sense to have them set up in such a way that jurisdictions would be able to cross communicate if they didn't want to use regular english.

[This message has been edited by surfrescue (edited 09-17-2001).]

[jnc36rcpd]

The Associated Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO) has made a couple of attempts at standardization. The first APCO ten-code attempted to be all things to all people. The code was supposed to be applicable to all services. This resulted in a 100 code system that had irrelevent codes for almost all departments.

The second attempt was a better one, a thirty-four code system that was pretty universal. Most agencies have units go in and out of service, acknowledge calls, advise phone numbers, and so forth. On the other hand, many agencies needed or wanted additional codes for their own purposes. The second code was also created after either the first code or some other variation were entrenched in many communities.

As interoperability becomes more important to law enforcement agencies, we will need to clarify our radio communications. Incidents such as the recent terrorist attacks also illustrate the need for interoperability between services.

Clear speech is one alternative, but radio codes were created for brevity. Training may actually be simpler if agencies use codes rather than trying to get people to be brief and accurate in plain English.

Inter-agency communication is a bit like Brits and Yanks talking: we're two peoples divided by a common language.

[J-Dog]

Clear text is pretty common and very effective. I've seen new guys screw up basic codes when they get excited.

jw

[HmtPD2]

FYI...10 codes are not a secret. ANYONE can get them. Any decent criminal knows them by heart.
I remember doing a pedestrian check and checking the guy through dispatch. California's Code for a felony warrant is 10-32 F (Frank). The guy heard dispatch say that code and jumped up and took off, yelling ..."Bullshit, I ain't goin back!" He had done his homework.

[J-Dog]

Your absolutly correct. I won't forget the time when I rolled up to back a unit and while talking to the other Deputy I said: "This guy is 115 (11550 H&S-Under the influence of controlled sub.)" He looked at me and said he was clean for two months.

In the central valley we use 10-36F for Felony warrants and the very same thing has happend to me (several times.........)

jw

[RogueExec]

One local agency uses a series of 3 numbers and a letter that officers use to let dispatch know of the outcome of a specific call.

For example, an officer is called to check out suspicious activity. It ends up being someone who made a late night trip to the grocery store and is unloading groceries at 0230. The officer checks it out, and then calls in a 422-Victor, which tells the desk that it was a "No Apparent Crime" call.

Does anyone else use this kind of code to communicate resolution of a call to dispatch?

[mdb23]

yep

[J-Dog]

We call them "cards." We always assign a classification to the card, weather it is a department information report, i.e. "SC255 = Domestic Incident/Non-criminal" or Penal Code. If we don't do a report we "card close" it. "CCSC255."

jw

[mdb23]

Originally posted by J-Dog:
We call them "cards." We always assign a classification to the card, weather it is a department information report, i.e. "SC255 = Domestic Incident/Non-criminal" or Penal Code. If we don't do a report we "card close" it. "CCSC255."

jw


Damn, that is -much- more complicated than our system.

mdb23

[Sharky]

We just called it HBO. Handled by Officer. End of story.

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F.I.D.O.

[grrlcop74]

We use disposition codes here. 10-8 is on duty, available for calls, so MPD uses 10-8-1 (which would be said like 'ten eight one'), 10-8-2, etc., to let dispatch know the officer is clearing the call he was on, and its status. There's unfounded, gone on arrival, incident report written, traffic citation written, no report written, etc. And as far as ten codes go, MPD uses signal codes, and MCSO uses strictly ten codes. Doesn't really matter that they don't mesh, since we're on completely different radio systems anyway (800Mhz and 400Mhz respectively).

Kristen

Kristen

[jnc36rcpd]

They are called clearance codes here in Montgomery County, Maryland. In theory, every possible event can be described by a four number code supplemented by a fifth number.

For example, disorderly conduct is the 24xx series. A routine disorderly is 2413. If the copper "adjusts" the situation without an arrest or report, it is a "twenty-four, thirteen, dash one" (2413-1). If the disorderly is charged by citation (dash-three), the call would be cleared as "2413-3". If an arrest was made, report written, and event verified, it would be "2413-4".

I realize how confusing this is, but it actually works. Be safe (or 10-41, as we say).

[Tracy]

And to think, I thought Military Radio Calls were elaborate.

Base: "Commo Check"
RTO: "Fee Fi Fo Fum, loud and clear with a little hum."

[DCH]

There HAS to be a better way to check 10-32F status. I've heard Control ask if the officer was '10-35?' before replying 'suspect was wanted', as to not inadvertently tip-off the subject. Maybe if more officers used earpieces out on the field?, or had Control send to MDT if avail?

Any Ideas?

-DCH

[Thurlkill]

Our dispatchers always ask if we are 10-12 (meaning: is the suspect next to you?) prior to relating any warrant information.
When we have the time, we usually check a subject over the MDC and only use the dispatcher to confirm the warrant.

[fish78]

I am almost afraid to ask, but what is wrong with plain English? "are you going to the crime scene? Why, yes I am, could I have a back up unit please?

Not trying to slam any LEO or procedures, but just keeping it simple.

[jnc36rcpd]

Good question, fish. Some agencies do use plain English. As interoperability becomes more of a priority, I suspect plain English will become more common.

Clear, concise, and accurate radio communications are obviously important to all agencies. Numeric code can somestimes an easier system on which to train everyone.

I could call for back-up, additional units, assistance, or help. Any of these term could mean anything from a request for a single unit to slide by to an all-hands-on-deck crisis. An agency would have to mandate exact terminology to ensure everyone is on the same page. If I hear that a unit in the next district has a "10-50", I know what that means. If I hear a request for assistance, I need to think about it.

Brevity is also very important. "Request 10-28, 10-29" is short and to the point. "Start me a listing and wanted check", "I'd like a plate run, please", and "Copy a plate for rolling stolen" all convey the same message with some need for intepretation and take more time.

Training and a standardized protocol could resolve the problems of clear speech communication. If everyone understands that "officer needs help" conveys a different message than "officer needs assistance", plain English may work.

All agencies use some clear speech communication. Agencies with brevity codes can allow undisciplined communication (e.g.: "Would you start me a 10-28 and 29 on a plate radio?" takes more time than "Copy a plate").

If anyone does work for an agency that uses plain English rather than radio codes, we'd like to hear your opinions. Be safe.

[murphquake]

Whilst working at JFK aeropuerto I had the joy of hearing some of the most interesting melange of codes ever... bits and pieces freely exchanged and appropriated for humorous use amoungs agencies as diverse as the Port Authority of NY and NJ, the PAPD, the various military and police codes picked up elsewhere and all sorts of nonsense... me and a few others specialized in making much fun of this on our (customer service, 46x.xxx (i forget, me and my friend borrowed a radio and figured it out with his scanner)) own radios... When they decided that i should have the joy of freezing my ass off in the parking garage by myself (with visitation rights to hang out and smoke from the others) and deal with the pond scum brained traffic attendants I progressed to ending most calls with some variation of "Thank you much amigo ten four over and out roger copy no, no need for the ten one yes Perkins ten one is a landline, no need to five ten that big buddy breaker breaker" followed by a "shut up murphy" by the supervisor... (and yes perkins is that dumb... 5-10 that please in this fake southern accent as if we didnt realize she was from brooklyn... her fuggin cousin worked with us too...) Also Dino doing the old russian voice (even funnier cause of his thick trinidadian accent)... radios in the hands of morons: a beautiful thing
-bill moron651/142

[RogueExec]

Originally posted by fish78:
"Are you going to the crime scene? Why, yes I am, could I have a back up unit please?


ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif

10 Code was created (believe it or not http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/wink.gif ) for a two-fold purpose. (1)to simplify radio communications, AND (2)to keep the nosey civvies with scanners from knowing exactly what was going on.

Alas, it has accomplished neither.

ROGUE


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REMEMBER 1*
"NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT"
In memory of ALL our fallen

[This message has been edited by RogueExec (edited 09-23-2001).]

[DCH]

Plain English eh??

Los Angeles: "where you at?" "shooting on 40th and Main yo." "you got it?" "it's Coooo"

Miami: "where joo at meng?" "Sout side, 40 and Maing meng." "ok meng?" "si bueno pardnur"

Texas:

...oh shit, i'm laughing too much to finish, someone else fill this in. Hope my point got across though?

-DCH

[MrPotatoHead]

ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thurlkill]

I think brevity is the main reason to continue using 10 codes.
If you have ever tried to get on the radio to call for help while some dispatcher has decided to tell a story about some abandoned car that's been sitting in front of old Ms. Johnson's house for way to long, then you'll understand my point.
It sucks being in a foot chase and not being able to get on the air.

[fish78]

Originally posted by DCH:
Plain English eh??

Los Angeles: "where you at?" "shooting on 40th and Main yo." "you got it?" "it's Coooo"

Miami: "where joo at meng?" "Sout side, 40 and Maing meng." "ok meng?" "si bueno pardnur"

Texas:

...oh shit, i'm laughing too much to finish, someone else fill this in. Hope my point got across though?

-DCH

You make my case for standard English being a requirement for employment!
It would be funny if it wasn't symptomatic of a much larger national problem.

[RogueExec]

Originally posted by DCH:

Texas:

...oh shit, i'm laughing too much to finish, someone else fill this in. Hope my point got across though?

-DCH

C'mon, RECON, mah brutha...........fill in the blanks!



------------------
REMEMBER 1*
"NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT"
In memory of ALL our fallen

[RECON5]

Originally posted by DCH:


Texas:

...oh shit, i'm laughing too much to finish, someone else fill this in. Hope my point got across though?

-DCH

Bubba you done eat'n yet?

Yeah, come on down CR115 a piece and take the first turn past the fresh rows and go a ways till you see the cylo's. Meetcha back off the north fence line.


How's that Rogue...........


------------------
REMEMBER 1*
"NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT"
In memory of ALL our fallen