They established these in an attempt to have a new and unique set of signals. For example, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) uses “ eleven-codes“, and the Port Authority Police use “eight codes”. Some organizations and municipalities also use other types of police radio codes. However, this approach does eliminate any secrecy or privacy from the radio transmission. As a result, they don’t have to mentally refer back to the list of ten codes to decipher a transmission.

This actually makes things easier for the officer and dispatch. Many police departments around the country are using regular English during radio conversations to ensure clarity in communications. Hence, the Department of Homeland Security may discontinue the use of the signals. This was due to their high variability in meaning between departments and agencies. In 2005, the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began discouraging the use of ten-codes and other law enforcement radio signals. Most commonly, in situations where people from different agencies and jurisdictions need to communicate with one another. However, the proliferation of different meanings has rendered it somewhat useless. For example, police departments in the state of California will likely use different codes and signals than the state of Florida, New York, or Texas.Īt first, law enforcement’s ten signals were intended to be a concise, standardized system to help officers and officials talk on the radio. Therefore, the meaning of a particular scanner code or signal can vary between one police jurisdiction and another. There is no truly universal or official set of police 10 codes. In 1974, the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials expanded the use of the police radio codes to make them briefer and to standardize message traffic.

Meaning, someone must know the meaning of the signals to understand the discussion. In addition, the codes enable a certain amount of privacy to the radio transmissions. These radio signals were invented to help reduce the use of speech on the police radio. In 1940, the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials ( APC) published the first official set of police 10 codes. Originally, Police 10 codes were used in the United States law enforcement community prior to the Second World War. Plus, they help shield communications from the general public. The codes help streamline communication and also add an element of secrecy. Police officers are in constant communication with dispatch, other officers, support departments, the local jail, and county correctional facilities, and others.

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