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10 50 Police Code

10-50 Police Codes Explained

Whether you’re a crime drama fanatic or just curious about those mysterious “10-codes” you hear on police scanners, knowing some common 10-50 codes can help you understand police lingo. As a casual listener, these codes may seem like an enigma, but they serve an important purpose in law enforcement communication.

What are 10-50 Codes?

10-50 codes are numbered radio signals that police officers use to communicate efficiently and discreetly over channels that anyone can access with a scanner. They act as verbal shorthand to relay critical information in the heat of a crime scene or chase without tipping off perpetrators listening in.

For example, “10-50” means a fight in progress, while “10-52” signals an ambulance needed. So if officers at a bar brawl scene radio “10-52 at the Corner Tap Tavern, we have a 10-50 with multiple injuries,” dispatch and backup know exactly what the situation is. Pretty nifty, right?

Origins of 10-Codes

Believe it or not, 10-codes have been around since the 1930s when police radio systems first emerged. They were originally developed by the Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials (APCO) and formalized into a set of universal codes in 1937.Back then, radio technology was still clumsy and unreliable, so the codes evolved as a way for officers to communicate vital information as clearly and efficiently as possible. And they’ve stuck around in modern policing because they still serve that vital purpose – keeping transmissions concise and focused.

Most Common 10-50 Codes

While different jurisdictions use different codes adapted to their needs, some common 10-50 codes have become part of police culture and crime drama lore across the country:

10-50 – Fight in Progress

This code indicates a situation where a physical altercation or brawl has broken out and officers need to respond rapidly to intervene and restore order. You’ll often hear this code regarding bar fights, gang violence, riots, and family disputes.

10-52 – Ambulance Needed

A 10-52 code communicates that police on scene require an ambulance to tend to an injured or unwell person. It alerts EMT services to dispatch medical aid promptly.

10-54 – Possible Dead Body

A 10-54 is not something you want to hear! This ominous signal means officers have potentially discovered a corpse at a scene that requires further investigation.

10-57 – Hit and Run

When a perpetrator has fled the scene of an accident, officers put out a 10-57 to alert other units of a suspect vehicle to intercept if possible. Time is of the essence in finding hit and run drivers.

10-58 – Directing Traffic

A 10-58 indicates officers are manually directing traffic, often because of an accident, special event, or loss of power to traffic lights. It’s a warning to motorists that normal traffic flow is interrupted.

10-59 – Security Check

A 10-59 is a routine status check-in used to monitor officer safety during traffic stops, building checks, and other encounters. If no response is received, backup is immediately dispatched to the last reported location.

10-61 – Person Down

Much like a 10-52 ambulance request, this code indicates someone is passed out, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated and in need of medical assistance. It often signals drug overdoses or diabetic emergencies.

10-62 – Auto Accident

As you might guess, this code conveys a motor vehicle accident has occurred, ranging from minor fender-benders to major injury crashes. It alerts the chain of response from traffic units to ambulances to tow trucks.

10-65 – Equipment/Operator Check

A 10-65 is another routine status check code used at shift changes to verify equipment functionality and the awareness/fitness of the officer coming on duty before releasing a unit. Safety first!

10-67 – Person Calling 911

When dispatch receives an open-line 911 call, officers are sent to intercept a 10-67 – someone attempting to call for help who can’t communicate verbally. It could be anything from a missing child to an injured hiker.

10-Codes by Category

While hundreds of unique 10-codes exist, most adhere to broad categories that indicate the nature of the call and appropriate response:

10-10 to 10-19 – On Duty/Status Signals

These codes cover officers clocking on and off duty, starting and ending meal breaks, reporting mileage, etc.

10-20 to 10-49 – Response/Chase Signals

Codes in this range relate to emergencies and crimes in progress from traffic accidents (10-45) to domestic disputes (10-16) to officer needs assistance (10-33).

10-50 to 10-79 – Public Safety/Convenience Signals

This segment deals with public threats like gas leaks (10-56), power outages (10-70), and missing persons (10-56).

10-80 to 10-99 – Administrative Signals

These codes handle departmental duties like booking suspects (10-95), court appearances (10-97), and equipment tests (10-87).So while you’ll hear more 10-16 domestic disputes than 10-89 bomb threats on the daily police scanner, both fall under the methodical 10-code system.

10-Codes by State & Agency

While the overall 10-code methodology remains consistent nationwide, specifics can vary a lot between states and agencies. For example, a 10-57 in Louisiana means a hit-and-run while North Carolina uses 10-57 for an armed robbery.

Cities and counties also tweak codes to fit their policing needs. The California Highway Patrol created unique 10-codes for accidents in their jurisdiction involving trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, etc.

So if you’re actively monitoring scanners as a hobby, it helps to find a local 10-code glossary to brush up on your regional codes. Otherwise you’ll be as lost as a tourist eavesdropping on the local police chatter!

The Drawbacks of 10-Codes

While 10-codes fill an important communications niche, they have some real shortcomings in the modern era that have led some agencies to phase them out.

For starters, codes vary so much between regions that mutual aid responses get confusing. An out-of-town unit might misinterpret a critical code in a crisis. And the codes themselves are not always crystal clear – a “10-55” could mean anything from an intoxicated driver, an intoxicated pedestrian, or just alcohol present.

The prevalence of encrypted digital radio channels has also made 10-codes less relevant to obscuring police business from public scanners. And critics argue they create an insider culture that seems exclusionary and secretive to the public.

Many experts advocate ditching codes entirely for plain English statements like “fight in progress at ____” instead of “10-50 at ____.” They believe direct language eliminates risks of confusion and reflects transparency.

The Future of 10-Codes

While some agencies have moved to plain English, 10-codes are still deeply ingrained in policing culture. Supporters argue they allow faster communication in tense situations. They also point out that codes offer a degree of operational security as encryption technology remains costly and unreliable.

The reality is most departments practice a hybrid model – using codes for critical incidents where seconds count while relying on plain speech for routine affairs. So 10-codes will likely remain an integral part of law enforcement communications into the future even if not as exclusively as in decades past.

Listening to Police Scanners

Now that you’ve got the basics of 10-codes down, you may be interested in listening to police scanners yourself as a hobby or part of a local neighborhood watch. This guide has more details, but here are some quick tips:

• Research which radio bands your local agencies use – it varies by department and can get technical.
• Invest in a quality scanner that can capture trunked radio systems rather than old-school analog channels. Modern digital scanners start around $100.
• Use online feeds or smartphone apps to complement your scanner – they’re encrypted but stream the best quality feeds.
• Don’t forget it’s still public service professionals doing serious work – keep your listening discreet and avoid interfering.

Monitoring police radios can be an intriguing hobby for devotees of crime dramas, scanner enthusiasts, and engaged community members alike. And knowing those mysterious 10-codes makes listening that much more insightful. Whether you’re tuning in for fun or to stay informed in your neighborhood, a basic grasp of 10-50 codes sheds light on the situation at hand.

So now that you’ve got the inside scoop, keep an ear out next time you hear officers rattling off cryptic “10-16 at 4th and Maple” type calls and crack the code! Stay safe out there!

Resources

• Avvo – Background on police codes
• LawInfo – Examples of common 10-codes
• FindLaw – Overview of 10-code communication
• YouTube – 10 codes compilation video
• Police Scanner Radio Feeds – Directory of live police scanner streams