Cop slang

What is a “10-50”? Learn to identify the most common police codes

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Police codes might sound like a secret language, but many are surprisingly straightforward once you know what they mean. From the famous "10-4" to numbers you’ve probably heard in TV dramas, these codes help officers communicate quickly and clearly over the radio. Take a look at 12 common U.S. police codes and their real meanings.

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When an officer calls in "10-8," it means they’re back on duty and ready for assignments. Dispatchers know they can now be sent to handle calls.

This code is often used after completing a task, returning from a break, or becoming available again. It helps keep communication clear and efficient.

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If a message is unclear or missed, the code "10-9" is used to request that it be repeated. It’s a quick way to prevent misunderstandings over the radio.

Whether the issue is static, overlapping chatter, or noise in the field, this code helps ensure that important details aren’t lost.

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The phrase "What’s your 20?" comes straight from this code, meaning "What’s your location?" It’s one of the most recognizable phrases in police radio.

It’s used for officer check-ins, coordinating units, or simply finding out where someone is at any given moment.

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When a "10-33" is issued, it signals an urgent situation that requires all radio traffic to stop except for emergency updates.

This clears the airwaves so vital information can get through without delay, often during critical incidents.

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A "10-50" reports a motor vehicle accident, from minor fender benders to serious collisions. Officers use it to request backup or other resources.

Variants of the code may specify whether injuries are involved, helping dispatchers send the right assistance quickly.

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When a disabled or wrecked vehicle needs towing, officers call in a "10-51." It’s a request for a wrecker or tow truck.

This code helps keep traffic flowing safely and clears hazards from roadways after accidents or breakdowns.

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"10-76" tells dispatch and other units that an officer is on the way to a location or call.

This lets everyone know that help is on the way and gives an idea of how soon assistance will arrive.

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After an officer arrives at a location, "10-97" is called in to confirm they are on the scene.

This code is useful for keeping track of personnel and ensuring that backup knows exactly who is present.

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In California’s Penal Code, "187" refers to the section defining homicide. The term has become widely known through movies, TV, and music.

Even outside California, "187" is often recognized as shorthand for murder in law enforcement slang.

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"211" is another California Penal Code section, this one referring to robbery. Like "187," it has become widely recognized in popular culture.

It signals a theft involving force or fear, often triggering an urgent police response.

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The "415" code covers various public disturbances, such as fights, loud music, and unruly gatherings.

It’s a flexible code that can apply to anything disrupting public order, big or small.

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We close our list with one of the most "popular" codes. In some states, "502" is used as shorthand for a DUI offense, meaning operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

It’s a serious charge that can result in arrest, fines, and license suspension.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Espionage And Chicken Costumes: 10 Celebs Who Worked Odd Jobs Before Fame

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Who didn’t have a weird job in their youth? Celebrities are no exception. Before their rise to stardom, they led ordinary lives, taking on whatever jobs they could to make ends meet, no matter how odd or unglamorous.

From dressing as brand mascots to conducting espionage missions during World War II, we've uncovered some of the most curious pre-fame occupations of everyone’s favorite stars.

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Brad Pitt worked as a limousine driver and even dressed as a chicken mascot for "El Pollo Loco", a popular restaurant in Los Angeles. Despite these humble beginnings, Pitt's drive and determination eventually led him to become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors.

His early jobs instilled in him a strong work ethic and a down-to-earth attitude, qualities that have become integral to his memorable performances and off-screen persona.

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There was a time when you could book Hugh Jackman for just $50. Before becoming Wolverine in the X-Men films, he was known as Coco the Clown, entertaining children at birthday parties and various events.

This early gig taught him how to think on his feet and keep a crowd entertained, skills that undoubtedly contributed to his later success on the silver screen.

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Although it might come as no surprise to anyone who watched his truthful performance in the film Magic Mike, Channing Tatum began his career as a stripper at a nightclub.

While some actors prefer to forget or hide their less-than-glamorous jobs, Tatum embraced this experience. It certainly gave his acting a unique perspective and authenticity, helping him connect with audiences on a more personal level.

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Before her breakout role in Transformers, Megan Fox used to work all sorts of odd jobs to pay the bills. At one point, she worked at a smoothie shop in Florida, where she occasionally dressed as a giant banana to attract customers.

Despite the unglamorous nature of the job, her determination to succeed in Hollywood never wavered. After years of hard work, she finally landed her first successful role.

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Matthew McConaughey spent a year in Australia cleaning chicken coops and washing dishes while taking acting classes. In his free time, he surfed and relaxed at the local beaches.

He claims this period was life-changing, making him a more humble and better person. It also infused his performances with notable authenticity. Though he nearly pursued a different career path as a production assistant, he ultimately realized that acting was his true calling.

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Whoopi Goldberg could be crowned the queen of odd jobs. Before becoming everyone’s favorite no-nonsense host of The View, she worked as a bank teller and a bricklayer, among other unusual gigs.

However, the strangest job by far was her stint as a mortuary beautician. In an interview with Oprah, she even recalled a moment when her boss played a prank on her by hiding in a funeral home drawer.

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Rod Stewart had his fair share of odd jobs, largely due to his father's insistence that he stay busy during his teenage years. His father would wake him up early to ensure he found something productive to do. Among his many stints at different occupations, he once worked at the Highgate Cemetery in London, measuring out plots and marking them off with string.

Eventually, a myth arose that he worked as a gravedigger at the cemetery, but that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Stewart himself clarified that he only marked the spots where the actual gravediggers would work later.

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For 18 months in 1964, Ozzy Osbourne worked in an abattoir in Birmingham. He claimed that he enjoyed the job, not because of what it involved but because if you finished early you would have the rest of the day off, and the pay was good.

Considering his later career, this job seems oddly fitting. After all, which other musician could you picture working in the grim environment of a slaughterhouse?

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Before becoming Clyde in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Warren Beatty worked in what has to be one of the most unglamorous jobs on this list: rat catcher for a theater in Washington, D.C.

Still, it was for a theater, so there was some sort of connection to his later career, right? In any case, such a job likely helped him develop the crucial qualities necessary to thrive in show business.

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Before becoming an iconic actor known for portraying spine-chilling villains like Dracula or Saruman in the Lord of the Rings franchise, Christopher Lee served as an intelligence officer in the Royal Air Force during World War II.

It is even speculated that he might have served as partial inspiration for the character of James Bond, as author Ian Fleming was a distant relative and knew of his wartime exploits. If anything, this only adds another layer to the charismatic and complex personality that was Christopher Lee, who also loved to sing opera and occasionally collaborated with heavy metal bands.