Do you know the definition of 10-4? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the police code 10-4, including its definition, usage, and more!
Your writing, at its best
Compose bold, clear, mistake-free, writing with Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant
According to eInvestigator, the police code 10-4 means ok, and is used as an acknowledgement that a message was received. Ten codes are signals that are used during two-way radio communications by police officers, law enforcement officials, and government agencies. These codes are different numbers that correspond to words, phrases, and messages that are frequently used in law enforcement work. These codes assist in being able to streamline communication and also add an element of secrecy. These are used when police are in communication with dispatch, other officers, support departments, the local jail, and county correctional facilities, and others.
Ten codes first began to be used in the United States law enforcement community prior to the Second World War. In 1940, the first official set of police 10 codes was published by the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APC). These were created for the intent of helping to reduce the use of speech on the police radio and to increase a certain amount of privacy to the radio transmissions. These were later expanded to make them briefer and to standardize message traffic.
What are other police ten codes?
There are hundreds of different ten codes that you might hear a police officer use during radio transmissions. These are often used for brevity or confidential information. Take a look at this list of APCO ten signals from Cop Radar.
10-65 Net Message Assignment
10-32 Man with Gun
10-76 En Route ___
10-61 Personnel in Area
10-69 Message Received
10-71 Advise Nature of Fire
10-23 Arrived at Scene
10-11 Dog Case
10-14 Prowler Report
10-1 Unable Copy – Change Location
10-12 Stand By (Stop)
10-101 What is Status? (Are you secure?)
10-22 Disregard
10-42 Ending Tour of Duty
10-62 Reply to Message
10-92 Improperly Parked Vehicle
10-2 Signal Good
10-81 Breatherlizer Report
10-97 Check (Test) Signal
10-37 (Investigate) Suspicious Vehicle
10-87 Pickup / Distribute Checks
10-75 In Contact with ___
10-39 Urgent – Use Light, Siren
10-29 Check for Wanted
10-6 Busy – Unless Urgent
10-5 Relay
10-10 Fight In Progress
10-77 ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
10-94 Drag Racing
10-49 Traffic Light Out at ___
10-98 Prison / Jail Break
10-88 Present Telephone # of ___
10-67 Clear for Net Message
10-16 Domestic Problem
10-46 Assist Motorist
10-78 Need Assistance
10-3 Stop Transmitting
10-91 Pick Up Prisoner / Subject
10-56 Intoxicated Pedestrian
10-57 Hit and Run (F-Fire, PI-Personal Injury, PD-Property Damage)
10-84 If Meeting ___ Advise ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
10-86 Officer / Operator on Duty
10-20 Location
10-30 Unnecessary Use of Radio
10-47 Emergency Road Repair at ___
10-13 Weather-Road Report
10-33 Emergency
10-7 Out of Service
10-68 Dispatch Information
10-89 Bomb Threat
10-38 Stopping Suspicious Vehicle
10-41 Beginning Tour of Duty
10-74 Negative
What is other police jargon you might hear?
There are many different terms that you might hear police officers use that could seem confusing at first. These are often used to talk about road conditions, types of crimes like vandalism, and more in a concise, confidential way across different frequencies. Take a look at the below list of different police codes from Your Dictionary.
B&E – Breaking & Entering
INJ – Injury
NCIC – National Criminal Information Center
SWAT – Special Weapons and Tactics Team
POSS – Possession
DWI – Driving While Intoxicated
FTA – Failure to Appear
BKG – Booking
CHP – California Highway Patrol
GIU – Gang Intelligence Unit
GTA – Grand Theft Auto
I/S – Intersection
QT -Secrecy Required
RO – Reporting Officer
CCW – Carrying a Concealed Weapon
OD – Off Duty
MP – Missing Person
LAPD – Los Angeles Police Department
LIC – License
CRT – Crime Response Team
A – Adult
BLK – Block
NIA – Non-Injury Accident
SOC – Scene of the Crime
CP – Complaining Party
DOC – Disorderly Conduct
MVA – Motor Vehicle Accident
VEH – Vehicle
UL – Unable to Locate
RHD – Robbery-Homicide Division
DUI – Driving Under the Influence
M/C – Motorcycle
CT – Court
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival
OCU – Organized Crime Unit
CSU – Crime Scene Unit
J -Juvenile involved
AC – Aircraft Crash
CPD – City or County Property Damage
ADW – Assault with a Deadly Weapon
PI – Personal Injury
GSR – Gun Shot Residue
PV -Parole Violation
RP – Reporting Party
WIT – Witness
E-B – Eastbound
DEA – Drug Enforcement Agency
OBS – Observed
SPD – Speed
BOLO – Be on the Lookout
RA – Rescue Ambulance
ROF – Report on File
DUS – Driving Under Suspension
APB – All Points Bulletin
Police Unit and Task Force Acronyms
FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation
Overall, 10-4 means okay or affirmative. This is considered one of many police ten codes that are used by law enforcement officials to streamline radio communication.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.