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.

Did you know any of these?

Lima 9 Quebec! Discover NATO phonetics and their purpose

While most people have never heard of the NATO phonetic alphabet, they have likely encountered it in use, at least in movies and television. If you can recall a scene where a pilot says something like "Alpha," "Bravo," and "Charlie" over the radio, then you have heard the NATO phonetic alphabet at work. It is a system designed to ensure letters are clearly understood, even over crackly or noisy connections. It's been around since the 1950s, but its roots go back even further. Take a look at some interesting and cool facts about it!

Simply put, a spelling alphabet helps clarify letters and numbers in messages, since many of them sound alike—like B and P, or M and N.

This is especially useful when static or interference affects radio or phone communication. For example, "DH98" would be said as "Delta-Hotel-Niner-Ait" to avoid confusion.

The following is the complete current NATO phonetic alphabet: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, and Zulu.

Each word starts with the letter that it represents, and the words were selected to be easily understood by speakers of many different languages.

The original International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) alphabet, the predecessor to the NATO phonetic alphabet, was officially adopted on November 1, 1951, and became effective for civil aviation on April 1, 1952.

However, issues soon arose. Words like Delta and Extra, or Nectar and Victor, sometimes caused confusion, especially in poor radio conditions.

To be included in the NATO phonetic alphabet, a word had to be a "live," or commonly used, word in English, French, and Spanish—the three working languages of the ICAO, which developed the system before NATO adopted it.

This rule helped ensure that the words were easily recognized and understood across different cultures and languages, improving international communication and reducing confusion.

The ICAO required each word to be easy to pronounce and recognize by speakers of many different languages.

This helped ensure clear communication between pilots and air traffic controllers worldwide, reducing the risk of misunderstandings.

Another criterion for inclusion in the NATO phonetic alphabet was that a word had to be clearly transmissible over the radio and easy to understand.

This helped minimize confusion caused by static, poor signals, or accents, making communication in aviation safer and more reliable.

Each word in the NATO phonetic alphabet had to begin with the letter it represented and be easily recognizable across several major languages, including English, French, and Spanish.

This made the alphabet easier to learn and understand internationally, ensuring consistency and clarity in communication.

Words in the NATO phonetic alphabet had to be free of any offensive or inappropriate meanings in any of the major languages.

This helped ensure that the words could be used safely and respectfully across different cultures and regions without causing misunderstandings or offense.

NATO changed the spelling of "X-ray" to "Xray" early on to make sure it was pronounced as a single word.

The ease of pronunciation goes hand in hand with another crucial aspect: there can be no other meaning interpretations.

Two words in the NATO phonetic alphabet use non-standard English spellings: "Alfa" and "Juliett."

"Alfa" avoids the "ph" to ensure correct pronunciation by non-English speakers. "Juliett" includes a second "t" so French speakers don't mistakenly drop the final sound.