[Codes] The meaning and how to use

[Andrew Banks]

Hello everyone,
In this topic I will be explaining the radio codes more in depth then on the code list, and will put some explanation with it.
We'll start from top, end bottom and if you have any questions you are free to post so below!

So, what are police codes. Codes are mostly numbers that officers learn, which they can translate in to a sentence or word, this way if there is a situation, they can type the codes instead of sentences and can quickly get response from other units. And if by any chance a member of a criminal organisation has one of our radios, he will hopefully not understand what we say.

General codes:

Code 1: Acknowledge this call - This code means that you understood what was said, and that you will follow the act/information that was given or asked.

Code 2: Proceed immediately without sirens - Non-emergency call - Follow traffic law - This code is to be used when you are heading to a call, where you have to be fast. But it is not of emergency priority. During C2 you can use lights & sirens at intersections, or when there's a group of vehicles you need to pass by.

Code 3: Proceed with sirens - Emergency call - Code 3 means you are responding to a high-priority situations, you can only use this in case of emergency. You can break some traffic laws with this, but remember. You can not go drive around at max speed over pavements and things like that, SAFETY first, and that is not only your safety!

Code 4: No further assistance required - This code kind of speaks for itself, there are no more units required at scene

Code 10: Bomb threat [If not certain its "Possible"] - Again kind of speaks for itself, there is a bomb threat, blue means there is a possible bomb threat, red means it is a certain bomb threat. When reporting a bomb threat always notify if it is a possible or certain one!

Code 14: Return to normal operations - Again speaks for itself, you are returning to your normal patrol/duty.

Code 30: Officer in danger, needs assistance (do not use this code for normal back up request) - This code is quite over-used. Code 30 means that there is a officer in danger and in need of DIRECT assistance, all units available should respond to this. You have 3 kinds of C30's, a C30A, C30B, C30C. C30C means there is a low-stress situation going on and a officer is in need of assistance, respond C3 the situation is a threat but the officer is not in direct danger. C30B means there is a officer in danger and he needs direct assistance, there is one citizen (or other officer) threatening the officer with his life. C30A means the officer is in need of direct assistance, ALL available units should respond to this in highest priority, there is more then one citizen (or officers) threatening the officer. All available units are to respond to this

Code Purple: Serious gang activity(Only for command members[Sgt+]) [If not certain its "Possible"] - A code purple is the code used for serious gang activity, only a sergeant can use this but this code is used when there is a group of different groups, or just one group that may go cause trouble, this code is not to be used when you see a group of purple clothed man walk a circle around a gas station. A citizen is free to do if he follows the law, and you are not there to suspect them of doing different unless proven so.

Ten Codes:

10-0: Caution - This code is used when there is a possible or direct threat towards a officer, when another officer calls off a 10-0, always proceed with caution, don't think 'I have guns so I can go in'. Listen to each other and make sure everyone comes out alive, and not just you and your weaponry.

10-3: Stop transmitting - This is mostly used by the SAPD command staff or administration, but it is open for anyone to use. This code is used when people are not using the police radio for its purpose, or if there is a higher priority call being discussed. When someone calls this off, do not go in a fight with him over the radio, calmly ask him why/what the issue is in PM or CB radio if you do not understand why he told you to 10-3. Do not use this when not needed.

10-4: Message received, understood - This is probably the most used radio code in the ARPD history, this code means that you received and understood the message given by another officer.

10-6 - Out of service but available for high priority calls - 10-6 has been recently brought back again, this code is used if you for example have to discuss something with another officer or when you are giving some a training/academy lesson in private. The code means that you are not available for regular duty and calls, but you will respond to high priority calls. Under high priority calls fall the following.
Code 30, 207, 211, terrorism, 10-33, code purple. If reporting 10-6 you should always respond to these situations, as a citizen or officer can be in direct danger.

10-7 - Out of service, and unavailable for emergency calls - 10-7 Means that you are out of service (going off duty, offline or just AFK for a bit). You shall not respond to any situation no matter what the situation is.

10-8 - In service - 10-8 means that you are going on police duty, and are available for any sort of call, once you are 10-8 you are doing proper police duty or division duty. You shall respond to any call where you are required, this includes high but also low emergency situations

10-15: Criminal in custody - This code means that a criminal(mostly suspects) is in custody of the police, you are no longer needed at the situation unless asked by another officer (for example for a transport of the criminal). If a 10-15 has been called off you are no longer supposed to assault or pursuit this criminal.

10-19: Return(ing) to station - This code means that you are returning to the police station, or your division HQ. You can also be asked to 10-19, this means that a unit is requesting you to return to station.

10-20: Report your location This code is quite similar to giving your sitrep. It means giving your current location, without status. So if you are driving in idlewood, pursuing a suspect. and an officer asks for your '10 20' you tell him 'Unit 44 is currently in Idlewood'

10-22: Disregard last assignment - This code is also used quite a lot, it means disregard last assignment, in easier words, ignore what was said before. This code is probably used when an officer said something but another person already did it, or the information he gave was incorrect due to a error by him. Make sure to notify people if the information you give may be incorrect.

10-33: Emergency situation, ALL units stand by. (Command Staff ONLY [Lieutenants +]) - A 10-33 is not used a lot, in my career as a law enforcer I probably only seen it called ten times. A code thirty-three means that all units have to stand by at a certain location, drop anything you are doing at that moment. This is the highest priority call that can be possibly given by SAPD command staff, only the commissioner or the president can call a higher state of emergency. Failing to respond to a 10-33 may get you in trouble. Due to the high latency of this code, only lieutenants and higher can call it

10-53: Officer down - 10-53 means that a officer has been downed, this falls under emergency calls and when this is called off, respond immediately if available. Have caution and preferably proceed in teams

10-66: Suspicious person - This code means that a suspicious person has been spotted, proceed with caution but be sure not to stalk, as stalking is a constitutional crime. Even for law enforcers

10-67: Call for help (911 call) - a 10-67 means that someone called for help, or when a 911 call has been dispatched, you can use this code if you are responding to a 911 call by for example saying 'responding to the '67'. But most people use 'responding to that niner'

10-76: En-route to location (on the way) - 10-76 means that you are heading to a location, for example, if a officer calls off a C30A, you or your partner can respond on the radio as following. 'Unit 44&52 are now 10-76 to that C30A, we're in C3. ETA 30 seconds'

10-80: Active pursuit - 10-80 means that you are in a pursuit that is currently going on, only use this when in a actual pursuit with a person that is breaking the law, and not just when you are following someone because you want to pull him over.

ETA: Estimated time of arrival - Not really a '10 code but it is used quite a lot, it means the time you think you will arrive on a scene or situation.

10-97: Arrived at scene - It means you have arrived at the scene/situation you got called to, for example a C30A call.

Hundred codes:

187: Homicide - Homicide is when on human kills another human, homicide does not always have to be criminal murder, it can also be murder out of self defense.

207: Kidnapping [If not certain its "Possible"] - A 207 means 'kidnapping'. Kidnapping is when one person is abducted against his or her will by another person or a group of people. You can report a 207 in two ways, you have a actual and possible 207 (Red and blue, like the bomb threat) Make sure you are one hundred percent sure that there is a person abducted if you call a 207RED. A 207 is a high emergency call and all available units should respond to this, failing to do so may result in punishments by SAPD CMD.

211: Robbery [If not certain its "Possible"] - 211, better known as robbery is one person steals items from another person. (this can be both role play and actual stealing, does not have to be an actual item) just like a bomb threat and a 207, you have a possible and actual (blue and red) robbery. Again make sure you are one hundred percent sure the person has committed this crime before calling a 211RED on him. This call has not as high of a priority as a C30A/B or a 207, but it is still of high priority.

417: Person with a gun - You can't have it easier then this, 417 means that there is a person with a gun, remember. ONLY use this if the gun is visible in his hand, on Argonath it is legal to carry any firearm with you as long as it is hidden (NOT in their hand).

Other items that may fit with the codes:

- Never suspect anyone for codes, it is not allowed ( example: /su 1 207)
- You do not always have to use codes, you can also use full sentences without any codes (this is preferred) but in high stress situations it is of course good to use codes.
- If someone is using incorrect codes, please correct him in PM, not in /r.
- If you have a hard time learning these, try learning the most important ones. (If you want I can write them down for you)


There will probably be people saying 'This is not needed, the information is clear enough' but I am quite sure some people can actually use this, if there is any questions or things I may have missed/wrote incorrect, feel free to tell me so and I will edit as soon as possible.


Best regards,

[Jake Parker]

Maybe a strange idea but isn't it better if you place this below the actual code list? So you can send new officers to one certain topic with everything included?

[Andrew Banks]

Maybe a strange idea but isn't it better if you place this below the actual code list? So you can send new officers to one certain topic with everything included?

That is up to the SAPD CMD to do, I just created this to help new and experienced officers with a in depth explanation of the codes.

[Jake Parker]

Well good job I'm sure it will make a difference!

[Francisco Martinez]

At least bold the codes....

Maybe a strange idea but isn't it better if you place this below the actual code list? So you can send new officers to one certain topic with everything included?

ARPD Codes

[Andrew Banks]

At least bold the codes....

Maybe a strange idea but isn't it better if you place this below the actual code list? So you can send new officers to one certain topic with everything included?

ARPD Codes

Should be fine now