Police Scanner Codes

Police scanner codes basically refer to different number-number, number-letter, or number-word combinations used by the police in radio communication. OpinionFront introduces the concept and purpose of scanner codes, and also provides a code chart. Take a look!

Did You Know?
Post 2011, most scanner codes have been replaced by simple language in order to introduce greater clarity and detail. This is because the message indicated by a code is very brief and doesn’t provide a complete insight into a situation.

The police scanner codes were devised by Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, and were intended to allow for brevity and standardization of radio communication. Using these codes made communication quicker and easier, thus leading to efficiency in law enforcement procedures.

These codes were designed to address all kinds of emergencies like road mishaps, relief operations, bomb threats, burglaries, and the like. They can be categorized into 10 codes, 11 codes, 1-37 codes, numeric codes, color codes, and fire/medical status codes.

Below listed are several codes classified as per the above-mentioned categories.

Police Scanner Codes

1-37 Codes

Codes	Meaning
Code 2	Urgent – no light or siren
Code 3	Use lights and siren
Code 4	No further assistance needed
Code 5	Stakeout
Code 6	Stay out of area
Code 7	Meal break
Code 8	Restroom break
Code 9	Summer uniform
Code 10	SWAT pre-call up
Code 11	SWAT call up
Code 37	Subject/property wanted

Fire/Medical Status Codes

Codes	Meaning
Code 10	Critical Trauma case
Code 20	Acute Trauma case
Code 30	Trauma case
Code 40	Serious case (IV started)
Code 50	Basic transport (not serious)
Code N	Newsworthy event

Color Codes

Codes	Meaning
Code Blue	Bus/Cab in trouble
Code Red	Varda Alarm activated
Code Purple	Gang Activity

10 Codes

Codes	Meaning
10-00	Officer down, all patrols respond
10-0	Caution
10-1	Reception poor
10-2	Reception good
10-3	Stop transmitting
10-4	Message received, understood
10-5	Relay message
10-6	Change channel
10-7	Out of service
10-7A	Out of service, home
10-7B	Out of service, personal
10-8	In service
10-9	Repeat message
10-10	Off duty
10-10A	Off duty, home
10-11	Identify frequency
10-12	Visitor(s) present
10-13	Weather and road advice
10-14	Citizen w/suspect
10-15	Prisoner in custody
10-16	Pick up prisoner
10-17	Request for gasoline
10-18	Equipment exchange
10-19	Return(ing) to station
10-20	Location
10-21	Telephone
10-21A	Advise home I will return at ____
10-22	Disregard last assignment
10-23	Stand by
10-24	Request car-to-car transmit
10-25	Do you have contact with ____
10-26	Clear
10-27	D.D.L. report
10-28	Registration request
10-29	Check for wants
10-29F	Subject wanted, felony
10-29H	Hazard potential from subject
10-29M	Subject wanted, misdemeanor
10-29V	Vehicle wanted
10-30	Doesn’t conform to regulations
10-32	Drowning
10-33	Alarm sounding, audible
10-34	Assist at office
10-35	Time check
10-36	Confidential information
10-37	Identify operator
10-39	Can ____ come to the radio?
10-40	Is ____ available for phone call?
10-42	Check the welfare of/at ____
10-43	Call a doctor
10-45	Condition of patient?

Codes	Meaning
10-45A	Condition of patient: good
10-45B	Condition of patient: serious
10-45C	Condition of patient: critical
10-45D	Condition of patient: dead
10-49	Proceed to ____
10-50	Under influence of drugs
10-51	Drunk
10-52	Resuscitator
10-53	Man down
10-54	Possible dead body
10-55	Coroner case
10-56	Suicide
10-56A	Suicide attempt
10-57	Missing person
10-59	Security check
10-60	Lock out
10-61	Miscellaneous public service
10-62	Meet a citizen
10-62A	Take a report from a citizen
10-62B	Civilian standby
10-63	Prepare to copy
10-64	Found property
10-66	Suspicious person
10-67	Person calling for help
10-68	Telephone for police
10-70	Prowler
10-71	Shooting
10-72	Gun involved
10-73	How do you receive?
10-79	Bomb Threat
10-80	Explosion
10-86A	Any radio traffic?
10-88	Assume post
10-91	Animal
10-91A	Animal, stray
10-91B	Animal, noisy
10-91C	Animal, injured
10-91D	Animal, dead
10-91E	Animal, bite
10-91G	Animal, pick up
10-91J	Animal, pick up collect
10-91L	Animal, leash law violation
10-95	Requesting ID tech unit
10-97	Arrived at scene
10-98	Available to assign
10-99	Warrants or stolen vehicle indicated
10-100	Misdemeanor warrant
10-109	Suicide
10-200	Drugs involved
10-600	Livestock down
10-1000	Felony warrant

11 Codes

Codes	Meaning
11-10	Take report
11-24	Abandoned vehicle
11-25	Traffic hazard
11-26	Abandoned bicycle
11-27	10-27 W/driver held
11-28	10-28 W/driver held
11-40	Advise if ambulance needed
11-41	Ambulance needed
11-42	No ambulance needed
11-44	Deceased person (Coroner Req’d)
11-48	Furnish transportation
11-51	Escort
11-52	Funeral detail
11-54	Suspicious vehicle
11-55	Officer being followed by auto
11-56	11-55 W/dangerous persons
11-57	Unidentified auto at assignments
11-58	Radio monitored, use phone

Codes	Meaning
11-59	Intensive attention: high hazard, business areas
11-60	Attack in high hazard area
11-65	Signal light out
11-66	Defective signal light
11-78	Aircraft accident
11-79	Accident – Ambulance sent
11-80	Accident – Major injuries
11-81	Accident – Minor injuries
11-82	Accident – No injuries
11-83	Accident – No detail
11-84	Direct traffic
11-85	Tow truck required
11-94	Pedestrian stop
11-95	Routine traffic stop
11-96	Checking suspicious vehicle
11-97	Time/security check on patrol
11-98	Meet:
11-99	Officer needs help!

Numeric Codes

Codes	Meaning
187	Homicide
207	Kidnapping
207A	Kidnapping attempt
211	Robbery
211A	Robbery alarm
211S	Robbery alarm, silent
217	Assault with intent to murder
240	Assault
242	Battery
245	Assault with a deadly weapon
246	Shooting at inhabited dwelling
261	Rape
261A	Attempted rape
273A	Child neglect
273D	Wife beating – Felony
288	Lewd conduct
311	Indecent exposure
314	Indecent exposure
374B	Illegal dumping
390	Drunk
390D	Drunk, unconscious
415	Disturbance
417	Person with a gun
417A	Person with a knife
459	Burglary
459A	Burglar alarm
459S	Burglar alarm, silent
470	Forgery
480	Hit and run – Felony
481	Hit and run – Misdemeanor
484	Petty theft
487	Grand theft

Codes	Meaning
488	Petty theft
502	Drunk Driving
503	Auto theft
504	Tampering with a vehicle
505	Reckless driving
507	Public nuisance
510	Speeding or racing vehicles
586	Illegal parking
594	Malicious mischief
595	Runaway car
604	Throwing missiles
647	Lewd conduct
653M	Threatening phone calls
5150	Mental case
10851	Auto theft
10852	Tampering with vehicle
20001	Hit and run – Felony
20002	Hit and run – Misdemeanor
20007	Hit and run – Unattended
21958	Drunk pedestrian on roadway
22350	Speeding
22500	Illegal parking
23101	Drunk driving – injuries
23102	Drunk Driving
23103	Reckless driver
23104	Reckless driver
23105	Driver under narcotics
23109	Racing
23110	Person throwing objects at vehicles
23151	Drunk driving – injuries
23152	Drunk driver

Police scanner codes ensure transience, speed, and secrecy in radio communication. Likewise, these codes have also been used by fire departments, ambulances, and civil action or relief groups during emergencies.