10-32!! &^%s*&!

[TheFantom]

Classic example (that happened 1 minute ago on MCTRS) of the need for Law Enforcement to embrace ‘clear text’ in place of the archaic 10-codes…

...Waukesha County agency X to Milwaukee County agency Y on ‘SHERIFF F2’… “...Be aware the subject may have a 10-32.”

Milw Co. agency reply… “...What’s a 10-32?”

Wauk Co. agency “...He may have a GUN!”

What a classic waste of time repeating themselves and chance of disastrous consequences should the receiving agency not asked for clarification. Cops get your act together and stop being so stubborn… NIMS and clear text is there for a reason!

 

[cifd64]

Technically, the NIMS re-direct states that ONLY when more than one agency/jurisdiction is responding that plain English must be used. and you are correct. this is a perfect example of that. They should be exempt from all Federal Funding in the next FY.

 

[mkescan]

There was another PD on Milwaukee County Sheriff F2 that used a couple 10 codes, and MCSO didn't know what they were talking about.

Mayfair Mall security can talk to Wauwatosa Police direct on Tosa PD 2
One day security was chasing some guys who were breaking in cars or something, Excited mayfair dispatcher kept using about 6 different 10 codes to describe what happened and what security is doing.
Tosa dispatcher said " Those codes mean nothing at all to me" .LOL

 

[cpd38]

Who doesn't know what a 10-32 is? That's used in 71 out of the 72 counties in WI as far as I know. Milwaukee is the problem per usual because they always have to be different than everyone else.

 

[NCFire11]

Heh, here 10-32 means to "send additional units"(usually non emergency, specifying the number of units needed)

For weapons we use "Signal 1 with a gun/knife/etc"

 

[n5ims]

Who doesn't know what a 10-32 is? That's used in 71 out of the 72 counties in WI as far as I know. Milwaukee is the problem per usual because they always have to be different than everyone else.

About the only thing standard about the standard 10 codes is that they vary greatly as you move around. While a few have pretty standard meanings (10-4 is one example), most do not. Do a search on "Police 10 codes" and you'll find several "standard" meanings for 10-32:

10-32 - Out at court
10-32 - gun
10-32 - Is breathalyzer available?
10-32 - Drowning
10-32 - will perform radio check
10-32 - Man With Gun
10-32 - Message
10-32 - Transporting prisoner
10-32 - DEMONSTRATION
10-32 - Breathalyzer
10-32 - Is a breathalyzer operator available
10-32 - Medical Referee Needed/Notified
10-32 - Sobriety test
10-32 - Is D.O. Opr. Available
10-32 - Person with gun

 

[OpSec]

What a waste of a thread. Lock this puppy up.

 

[biglaz]

And I always thought 10-32 was the size of a bolt fastener.

 

[cpd38]

+1 to Stateboy's comment

 

[TheFantom]

Technically, the NIMS re-direct states that ONLY when more than one agency/jurisdiction is responding that plain English must be used. and you are correct. this is a perfect example of that. They should be exempt from all Federal Funding in the next FY.

NIMS originally did not allow ANY 10-codes--- but the Law Enforcement community is so in love with their use of codes that they cried and wined enough that it got changed... you mean to tell me that when the really stressful, dangerous, multi-jurisdictional incident or chase occurs they all agree to abandon their communication methods that are ingrained from daily use (10-codes) and use clear text... yeah right. It's an accident waiting to happen.

Can anyone tell me what the benefit of using them is? I mean every scannerhead and whacker out there knows what they mean... some even have greater syllables to transmit.. i.e ten-twenty-three vs. on-scene...

If you want to hear a Law agency effectively and efficiently using clear text, listen to Milwaukee Co. Sheriff.

 

[cifd64]

Did i say thats what they all will do? No. Just what the document states. I think it is rediculous as well, but even plain language isnt so plain. Received vs Roger vs Affirmative vs yeah, ok.

 

[RadioDaze]

Out here I'd often heard the dispatcher say simply "10-32 check" to an officer on a stop. Now, for that particular agency, 10-32 meant that the suspect had wants or warrants. And basically, the next thing the officer was going to do was place him in custody. If the suspect was within earshot of the radio, he could very likely bolt or fight if he heard "Your suspect is wanted for..."

So a code like that could be very handy if used and understood within an agency. But the non-standardization of codes like "10-32" can really make them useless between agencies.

Okay, I just went in the other room and found my 1996 Southern California Edition of Police Call, which lists "10-32" as "suspect wanted", but I can't recall the agency I used to hear giving that code.

 

[JoeyC]

If the suspect was within earshot of the radio, he could very likely bolt or fight if he heard "Your suspect is wanted for..."

So a code like that could be very handy if used and understood within an agency. But the non-standardization of codes like "10-32" can really make them useless between agencies.

Most people with outstanding warrants/wanted usually are aware they are wanted. It wouldn't matter what 10 code, signal code or words were used by the dispatcher when advising such, as any code would be interpreted as "Your suspect is wanted..." rendering the code less than useful. If I were the criminal type and I had warrants and had no intention of being arrested, unless I knew the 10 code system in use, ANY response from the police dispatcher is gonna be a positive hit, and I am outta there!

 

[cifn2]

There was a revision and statements from Police Agencies, police can still use codes, as far as I understand.

Classic example (that happened 1 minute ago on MCTRS) of the need for Law Enforcement to embrace ‘clear text’ in place of the archaic 10-codes…

...Waukesha County agency X to Milwaukee County agency Y on ‘SHERIFF F2’… “...Be aware the subject may have a 10-32.”

Milw Co. agency reply… “...What’s a 10-32?”

Wauk Co. agency “...He may have a GUN!”

What a classic waste of time repeating themselves and chance of disastrous consequences should the receiving agency not asked for clarification. Cops get your act together and stop being so stubborn… NIMS and clear text is there for a reason!

 

[TheFantom]

There was a revision and statements from Police Agencies, police can still use codes, as far as I understand.

Exactly my point... this revision was the wrong thing to do and leads to confusion between responders and potentially dangerous situations, just because they don't want to change...

 

[Gezelle007]

About the only thing standard about the standard 10 codes is that they vary greatly as you move around. While a few have pretty standard meanings (10-4 is one example), most do not. Do a search on "Police 10 codes" and you'll find several "standard" meanings for 10-32:

10-32 - Out at court
10-32 - gun
10-32 - Is breathalyzer available?
10-32 - Drowning
10-32 - will perform radio check
10-32 - Man With Gun
10-32 - Message
10-32 - Transporting prisoner
10-32 - DEMONSTRATION
10-32 - Breathalyzer
10-32 - Is a breathalyzer operator available
10-32 - Medical Referee Needed/Notified
10-32 - Sobriety test
10-32 - Is D.O. Opr. Available
10-32 - Person with gun

Lol- and I think down in Florida, 10-4 actually means "Code 4" Not "Acknowledged"

 

[N9NRA]

And here`s another example for ya, around these parts a 10-96 means a mental subject, whereas up in my hometown area that same code means the person has a warrant. Just another example of 10-codes with two meanings , intresting eh? Personally i have to agree for the most part with what`s been said here, for instance, we in the Amateur Radio service for the most part use plain english (with the exception of a few "Q-codes, "like "QSL" to acknoledge a recieved message, or "QRZ" to ask :who`s calling me?"), and if we hams can use plain english, why can`t the Public Service people do it? N9NRA

 

[cifd64]

To piggy-back on Fantom, NIMS was a great document until the PS Unions got involved. APCO, IAFF and numerous National PBA's got Michael Chertoff to change his stance. To me, you are either NIMS, or you arent. But you have to pick one.

 

[cpd38]

personal pet peeve of mine...fire depts that use "message received'. Is that seriously better than 10-4 or copy? It sounds so redundant hearing message recieved on every single message to me.

 

[JoeyC]

and 10-4 or copy isn't redundant??