What does 33 mean in cop code?

Asked by: Green Weissnat  |  Last update: April 12, 2026
Score: 5/5 (18 votes)

In police radio codes, "Code 33" (or 10-33) generally means "Mobile Emergency - Clear This Radio Channel", signaling a critical situation requiring immediate, priority attention and restricting the frequency to emergency traffic only, preventing interference from routine calls. This is used for officer-involved emergencies, pursuits, or dangerous situations where other units need to hear the transmission without interruption.

What is code 33 police?

Police Code 33 generally signifies a critical, life-threatening emergency requiring immediate, priority radio clearance to allow officers to broadcast urgent traffic like officer in danger, pursuit, or other critical incidents, effectively clearing the airwaves for vital communication, though exact meanings can vary by agency. It's a command for "Emergency Traffic Only" or "Clear the Channel," often accompanied by a specific channel marker tone, signaling a situation where every second counts for officer or public safety. 

What is a 10-33 in police code?

The police code 10-33 generally means "Emergency" or "Need Immediate Assistance," signaling officers to clear the airwaves for critical traffic, though specific meanings can vary slightly by agency, sometimes indicating "All Units Stand By" or "Emergency Traffic Only" for high-priority situations like officer in danger, pursuit, or major crime.
 

What does code 10-33 mean?

The meaning of "1033" varies significantly by context, referring to a U.S. law for transferring military equipment to police (LESO Program), a tax code for deferring gains on involuntarily converted property (1033 Exchange), a CFPB rule for consumer data access (Dodd-Frank Act), an angel number for spiritual growth, or even a Python error code in R programming. It can also relate to Hebrew words in Bible study or simply be part of a phone number or address, depending on where it appears. 

What is a 32 in police code?

Police code "32" varies by jurisdiction but most commonly means "Units Needed" or "Request for Backup/Assistance," signaling an officer needs help, but other meanings include a "Gun Involved" (as in a person with a gun) or even a section of a law like the UK's PACE Act. It's part of rapid radio communication, so always check local department lists for the precise meaning, as codes differ. 

Top 25 Most Used Police Codes Explained

17 related questions found

What is the police code 34?

10-33 Alarm sounding. 10-34 Assist at office. 10-35 Time check. 10-36 Confidential information.

What does 36 mean in police?

The use of the radio code "10-36" is designed to alert field units and allow them to move or move subjects out of hearing range of their radios prior to requesting information regarding possible arrest or other hazardous information which, if overheard, might cause a suspect to run or otherwise react adversely.

What are all the codes for cops?

Police codes, primarily the well-known "10 Codes," are shorthand for common phrases used in radio communication, like 10-4 (Okay), 10-20 (Location), 10-33 (Immediate Assistance Needed), and 10-50 (Traffic Accident), though meanings can vary significantly by agency, with some jurisdictions using different systems like "100 Codes" (e.g., 187 for murder in CA) or moving towards plain English for better interoperability.
 

What is a police 1033?

A 10-33 police code generally means "Officer Needs Immediate Assistance" or "Emergency", signaling a critical situation requiring urgent backup, while a separate 1033 program allows the military to transfer surplus equipment (like vehicles, weapons, gear) to local law enforcement. In radio communication, it's an emergency alert for help; in logistics, it's a federal program for defense property. 

What is the military code 1033?

The 1033 Program permits the Secretary of Defense to transfer, without charge, excess U. S. Department of Defense (DoD) personal property (supplies and equipment) to State and local law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

What does 10/7 mean dead?

"10-7" typically means "Out of Service" (off duty, on break, or unavailable), but it's often used as a euphemism for deceased in law enforcement radio, signifying an officer is permanently "out of service," especially during a funeral ceremony where other units stop transmitting in tribute. While the standard code is "out of service," the meaning can shift contextually or by agency to mean "dead," though other specific codes (like "Signal 7" or "10-67") also exist for death. 

What does code 30 mean for police?

Code 30: Burglar alarm (can be Code 30-Silent)

What does 7 Adam mean?

At the LAPD, an "Adam" radio call sign designates a two-officer uniformed patrol unit, the basic field unit for LAPD. It is preceded and followed by a number. The first number is the division or patrol area, and the second is the beat area designator. " 7-Adam-5" would be a Wilshire area patrol car, assigned to beat 5.

What is 10-33 in police code?

The police code 10-33 generally means "Emergency" or "Need Immediate Assistance," signaling officers to clear the airwaves for critical traffic, though specific meanings can vary slightly by agency, sometimes indicating "All Units Stand By" or "Emergency Traffic Only" for high-priority situations like officer in danger, pursuit, or major crime.
 

What is IC1, IC2, IC3, IC4?

IC Codes: IC1 - White - North European. IC2 - White - South European. IC3 - Black. IC4 - Asian (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal).

What is an RA on SWAT?

RA = Rescue Ambulance. RD = Reporting District. TO = Training Officer. TC = Traffic Collision. GOA = Gone on Arrival.

What does 33 mean in code?

HISTORY. A Code 33 restricts a radio frequency to emergency transmissions only. A Code 33 can be requested by a deputy or initiated by the dispatcher under certain circumstances. Normally, a Code 33 will be issued on Sheriff's Frequency 1 since most emergency transmissions originate on this frequency.

Can you legally cuss out a police officer?

It's generally not illegal to curse at a police officer in the U.S. because of First Amendment protections for free speech, but it can lead to arrest if the language crosses into "fighting words," threats, or disrupts public order, potentially resulting in charges like disorderly conduct or resisting arrest, depending on state laws and the officer's interpretation of the situation. While cursing alone is usually protected, actions like shaking fists, spitting, or making threats can remove that protection and lead to criminal charges. 

What is a 999 cop code?

It means, "Officer needs emergency help." But, in this case, it's not a reference to an officer in need. It's a reference to children in need. "999 for Kids" was created in 1985 through a joint effort of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the County's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

What are the 10 basic codes?

Basic 10-codes are short codes used in radio communication, especially by police, to convey common phrases efficiently, with key examples being 10-4 (Message received/OK), 10-7 (Out of service), 10-8 (In service), 10-9 (Repeat/Say again), and 10-20 (Location), though specific meanings can vary slightly between agencies. They replaced early slang for brevity and clarity, with popular ones like "10-4" entering mainstream culture through TV shows. 

What is the 3 police code?

CODE 3 EMERGENCY RESPONSE A “CODE 3” response is defined as an emergency response determined by factors such as immediate danger to officer or public safety that require an expedited priority response utilizing lights and sirens.

What is GTA in police terms?

About This Article Briefly: Grand theft auto (GTA) is the intentional taking of another's car without the owner's consent and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the car. The offense can be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony.

What's a 32 in police code?

Police code "32" varies by jurisdiction but most commonly means "Units Needed" or "Request for Backup/Assistance," signaling an officer needs help, but other meanings include a "Gun Involved" (as in a person with a gun) or even a section of a law like the UK's PACE Act. It's part of rapid radio communication, so always check local department lists for the precise meaning, as codes differ. 

What does 7 Adam 19 mean in The Rookie?

7 Adam 19 is their call sign. 7: unit 7 or 7ths division. Adam: officers go by Adam, in swat they are david. 19 is their shop number for if they go missing to locate them.