Code 1 and Code 4

[SouthSoundScanner]

I'm new to Washington and while listening to the Kent Pd the last few days, I have heard the following; What's your status? and the reply would be either Code 1 or Code 4. Anyone know the meanings?

 

[AuntBee09]

in king county, code 1 means that police are responding with NIETHER lights or siren (so they respond like normal).

code 4 means "under control".

 

[AuntBee09]

oh, and code 2 means responding with only lights, no siren. and code 3 means responding with both lights and siren.

 

[Mainsail]

I’ve noticed odd something in Tacoma. The dispatcher will call a unit and request a radio check. That, in and of itself, isn’t unusual, right? The officer will say something like “All OK”, instead of “loud and clear”. I’m wondering if this is a duress signal? I hear it a lot during traffic stops.

 

[SouthSoundScanner]

Sounds to me like an Officer safety check during a traffic stop.

 

[Lieutenant_Lam]

An officer will say "Radio Check" to dispatch to ensure the radio is in proper working order.

In this case, dispatch is saying the unit number and radio check which literally means are you okay, or can you hear me. And the officer will reply code 4, or "loud and clear".

The radio is the utmost important thing an officer can carry.

 

[morrowcounty]

re: radio checks

In the agencies around me, a radio check is how dispatch checks on a unit that has not been heard from for an hour.
Dispatch will call the unit number and say Radio Check. The police unit will say his number, then dispatch will then sign out with the current time.

A status check is if the officer is out on something, such as a traffic stop, domestic, etc.. The dispatch will call the unit number and say either "Status" or "Status Check." The unit will either return with a Code 4 (ok) or something else.

I listen to Morrow, Umatilla, and Gilliam Counties in Oregon.

 

[Mainsail]

An officer will say "Radio Check" to dispatch to ensure the radio is in proper working order.

In this case, dispatch is saying the unit number and radio check which literally means are you okay, or can you hear me. And the officer will reply code 4, or "loud and clear".

The radio is the utmost important thing an officer can carry.

OK, one more time.
I’ve noticed odd something in Tacoma. The dispatcher will call a unit and request a radio check. That, in and of itself, isn’t unusual, right? The officer will say something like “All OK”, instead of “loud and clear”. I’m wondering if this is a duress signal? I hear it a lot during traffic stops.

 

[Lieutenant_Lam]

OK, one more time.
I’ve noticed odd something in Tacoma. The dispatcher will call a unit and request a radio check. That, in and of itself, isn’t unusual, right? The officer will say something like “All OK”, instead of “loud and clear”. I’m wondering if this is a duress signal? I hear it a lot during traffic stops.

They dont have to say "loud and clear" all the time, they can say "all okay" as well. As long as the dispatcher hears and understand the officer, its fine.

Our dispatch actually says 10-62, and our officers always respond code 4, unless something is wrong.

 

[N7DKL]

Code "4"

The codes that the dispatcher is looking for are officer safety codes. They differ a bit from agency to agency but the general idea is this...
Code 1 - I'm in trouble, send everybody here code (lights and sirens)
Code 2 -Getting uncomfortable, send one or two cars code but shut down a few blocks out
Code 3 - Send me one cover car non-code
Code 4 - I'm fine, thanks for asking.

WSP does it a little different. The dispatcher will do a status check and the trooper will answer with their number. If they answer with ANYTHING else help is on the way. Also if you hear the dispatcher say for example "Seattle, WSP 123", that means there is a warrant hit or other officer safety stuff they need to tell the trooper. If the trooper calls in and says "WSP 123, Seattle" it means the trooper found the warrant on his car computer and wants dispatch to know about it. Remember that WSP talks backwards. Instead of "hey you, this is me" they use their own identifier first, then who they are calling.

 

[Lieutenant_Lam]

The codes that the dispatcher is looking for are officer safety codes. They differ a bit from agency to agency but the general idea is this...
Code 1 - I'm in trouble, send everybody here code (lights and sirens)
Code 2 -Getting uncomfortable, send one or two cars code but shut down a few blocks out
Code 3 - Send me one cover car non-code
Code 4 - I'm fine, thanks for asking

I wouldn't say thats the general idea, because like you said..each agency varies. Those codes right there except for 4 is opposite in my agency.

 

[Stephen]

Well my agency does not use codes in less, your are refering to codes for travel. Any time a dispatcher needs a status check, they use 10-73 here for what is your status, if you say 10-4 that's good to go, or you just either say tell someone to stop by, I need a back, or if it's an emergency I need back up now or hit the emergency button.


While Lt. Explorer there has point that a radio is the most important piece of equipment, a police officer has, I have yet to see my motorola fire back at suspects or stop bullets. If things get real nasty and I had to choose between radio or weapon, a weapon can suppress or disable a suspect while also providing loud noise for people to hear and start calling dispatch. Mean while if I have just a radio well I might be running or trying to avoid getting shot for 1-5 minutes depending on where I am at. If you have ever spent some time in the military as I have you will learn that many times you will be in a area with out radio comms but have a weapon and your team.