The Meaning of 10-4: What It Is and How To Use It

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!

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What does the police code 10-4 mean?

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)
  •  10-43 Information
  •  10-27 (Drivers) License Information
  •  10-58 Direct Traffic
  •  10-51 Wrecker Needed
  •  10-24 Assignment Completed
  •  10-79 Notify Coroner
  •  10-8 In Service
  •  10-40 Silent Run – No Light, Siren
  •  10-106 Secure (Status is secure)
  •  10-96 Mental Subject
  •  10-18 Quickly
  •  10-60 Squad in Vicinity
  •  10-83 Work School Crossing at ___
  •  10-93 Blockade
  •  10-31 Crime in Progress
  •  10-53 Road Blocked at ___
  •  10-70 Fire Alarm
  •  10-73 Smoke Report
  •  10-48 Traffic Standard Repair at ___
  •  10-64 Message for Local Delivery
  •  10-55 Intoxicated Driver
  •  10-44 Permission to Leave ___for___
  •  10-72 Report Progress on Fire
  •  10-82 Reserve Lodging
  •  10-80 Chase in Progress
  •  10-52 Ambulance Needed
  •  10-36 Correct Time
  •  10-45 Animal Carcass at ___
  •  10-95 Prisoner / Subject in Custody
  •  10-63 Prepare Make Written Copy
  •  10-85 Delay due to ___
  •  10-19 Return to _____
  •  10-34 Riot
  •  10-54 Livestock on Highway
  •  10-99 Wanted / Stolen Indicated
  •  10-15 Civil Disturbance
  •  10-28 Vehicle Registration Information
  •  10-66 Message Cancellation
  •  10-50 Accident (F-Fire, PI-Personal Injury, PD-Property Damage)
  •  10-25 Report in Person (Meet)
  •  10-90 Bank Alarm at ___
  •  10-35 Major Crime Alert
  •  10-21 Call ( ) by Phone
  •  10-59 Convoy or Escort
  •  10-9 Repeat
  •  10-17 Meet Complainant
  •  10-26 Detaining Subject, Expedite
  •  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.

Sources:

  1. Police 10 Codes – General Purpose | Cop Radar 
  2. Police Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Jargon | Your Dictionary 
  3. Police 10 Codes (Ten Codes) for Law Enforcement Radio Communication | eInvestigatorÂ