Police Codes

[Puddles]

Does anyone know where I can get a listing of the police codes such as 10-4 etc?

[KMA367]

What area or City/County? Codes are different everywhere you go, though there are some (like 10-4) that are common in a lot of places. Check out http://www.bearcat1.com/radio.htm and use the drop-down list for your state (assuming you're in the U.S) and see whose codes they list. A Google search for "police radio codes" will get you all these sources: http://tinyurl.com/qp6kr

Some places don't use 10-codes at all, such as many fire departments, and even some police departments such as LAPD: http://harrymarnell.com/comm1.htm

[Puddles]

I thank you so very much for your information..I found what I was looking for..It has been along time since I have used my base cb and now learning a scanner..The codes help me to understand what is going on...

[KMA367]

You're welcome. And just so you know, the Federal government, specifically the Department of Homeland Security, is trying to get police and fire departments to get away from codes and start using "plain text" (English), at least when they are involved in mutual aid incidents.

With a bazillion different codes out there, it can be a problem when people are all accustomed to their own codes. A great example was Katrina, where police and fire folks from all over the country were there, trying to work together. Besides the RADIO problems themselves, there was quite a bit of confusion when people from, say NYPD, New Orleans, and the California Highway Patrol would try to talk with each other... each using totally different radio codes.

It's not likely to change overnight, though. At first the gov't was threatening to cut off Homeland Security funds for anybody who didn't just get rid of the codes completely. They found out real quick that THAT just wasn't going to happen. So now they're just insisting that everybody learn to use plain English when they work together in "mutual aid" disasters.

We'll still be hearing codes for years, though. Nobody changes old habits that fast.

[Avix-Magister]

Considering this has been a problem for well over 20 years that I personaly know of. (and I hate to say this) I think Homeland Security has it right with the "no money" thing.

[PhaseLockedLunatic]

It is true that some places are still using codes. It is also true that BHS has said that they will not allocate ODP funds to anyone not using plain english but that they will give a year or two for everyone to comply. By then the cash cow will have dried up.

Most of the counties in Region 1 are slowly converting to plain english.

[cristisphoto]

I can send you a full USA PDF if wanted
It s pretty small of a file soo lol
Plus try BEArcat's sites

[scanpro12]

yo...

[scanpro12]

The most basic codes can be found here. http://www.radiolabs.com/police-codes.html most agencies still use a lot of these.

[Lt51506]

If you're in the Boise / Ada County area, the website for the Boise Police Department has a page devoted to their codes and acronyms. It's part of their on-line media guide.