What does RP stand for in a police report?

Asked by: Dr. Katelin Bednar DDS  |  Last update: March 30, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (11 votes)

In a police report, RP stands for Reporting Person or Reporting Party, referring to the individual who contacted the police to report a crime or incident, often the caller or the complainant. It's a standard abbreviation used to identify the person initiating the police response, distinguishing them from victims, witnesses, or suspects.

What is RP in police terms?

In police/law enforcement jargon, RP most commonly means Reporting Person or Reporting Party, referring to the individual who calls to report a crime or incident, while in military contexts, it can stand for Regimental Police, handling internal discipline. It can also mean Registered Plate in some systems or refer to online Roleplay, depending on the context. 

What does the abbreviation RP mean?

Received Pronunciation (RP) is the accent of British English regarded as the standard one, carrying the highest social prestige, since as late as the beginning of the 20th century.

What are RP cops?

Members of a regiment's Provost Section can be identified by the brassards they wear, which carry the letters "RP". Unlike Service Police, RPs carry no warrant card and have no powers of arrest greater than those of citizen's arrest. They are not police officers/constables/service police and serve no policing function.

What are some police codes?

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.
 

Police Report Writing [Advice for new police officers]

16 related questions found

What do R and P stand for in police talk?

RP,R/P. - REPORTING PARTY - OR - RESPONSIBLE PARTY.

What are the 10 basic codes?

Basic 10 codes are short numerical codes used in radio communication, especially by police, fire, and security, to convey common messages quickly, like 10-4 for "Message Received/OK," 10-8 for "In Service," and 10-33 for "Emergency/Need Immediate Assistance," saving time and clarifying status or requests, though meanings can vary slightly by agency. 

What are the rules for RP in the police?

Roleplay Rules

You should, to the best of your ability, be acting as a Police Officer. Don't force Roleplay on people. This includes arresting other officers, purposefully involving them in scenes they do not wish to join, or creating major incidents that require a large officer attendance without good reason.

What does RP slang mean?

In slang, RP most commonly means Roleplay, referring to acting out characters in games, online forums, or social media for storytelling; it can also mean Received Pronunciation (a standard British accent) or, less commonly, Rating Pending in gaming, but "Roleplay" is the dominant usage in casual online contexts.
 

What is the meaning of the abbreviation RP?

RP is a standard way of pronouncing British English when it is taught as a foreign language. RP is an abbreviation for Received Pronunciation.

Why is RP called RP?

By the 1830s, writers were advising provincials to speak like Londoners, and by the end of the nineteenth century this accent received a name. It was called 'received pronunciation' (now usually referred to as RP) - that is, the kind of pronunciation passed down from one educated generation to the next.

What is an RP?

Put simply, roleplay (or RP), is the practice of taking a character and attempting to put yourself in their place, acting, speaking, and believing as they do.

What is the abbreviation for police?

While "Police" isn't a true acronym but comes from French for "public order," common abbreviations and slang include P.D. (Police Department), PC (Police Constable), COP (slang from "copper" or "capture"), and code 12 (meaning visitors/civilians present, leading to "the 12" for police). Various ranks also have abbreviations like S.P. (Superintendent of Police) or I.G. (Inspector General). 

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 are the 4 levels of law enforcement?

The four main levels of law enforcement in the U.S. are Federal, State, County, and Local (Municipal), each with distinct jurisdictions and responsibilities, from enforcing federal laws (FBI) and state laws (State Police) to managing county jails (Sheriff's Office) and patrolling cities (Local Police). 

What does it mean when police say RP?

In police/law enforcement jargon, RP most commonly means Reporting Person or Reporting Party, referring to the individual who calls to report a crime or incident, while in military contexts, it can stand for Regimental Police, handling internal discipline. It can also mean Registered Plate in some systems or refer to online Roleplay, depending on the context. 

What is force RP?

Forced RP

This includes but is not limited to: Taking a “sleeper” hostage without permission. Claiming to be related to another character without permission. Forcing any permanent body mutilation without permission. Forcing a character perma-death without permission.

What does RP mean on a police report?

RP: Reporting person, the one notifying the police of an incident.

What are the 10 codes for police?

Police 10 codes are a shorthand system for transmitting common messages over radio, with key codes like 10-4 (Affirmative/OK), 10-6 (Busy), 10-8 (In Service), 10-20 (Location), and 10-33 (Emergency/Need Assistance); they help officers communicate quickly and discreetly, though meanings can vary slightly between agencies, covering statuses, requests (like wrecker/ambulance), and incident types (accident, pursuit, crime in progress). 

Can I legally cuss out a cop?

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 code 7 for cops?

Police code "7" varies significantly by agency, but most commonly means meal break/lunch (Code 7) or out of service/unavailable (10-7), though it can also indicate serious situations like a dead body, an intoxicated person, or even an officer in danger (Signal 7 in some areas), highlighting the need to check local protocols. 

Why do people call police 12?

Police are called "12" due to a blend of law enforcement radio codes and pop culture, primarily from the police show Adam-12, where "Adam-12" referred to a patrol car, and a potential link to the "10-12" code meaning "visitors present" or "stand by," used as a discreet warning for police presence in communities, especially within hip-hop culture. 

What is code 99 police?

A police Code 99 usually means an officer is in immediate, severe danger and needs all available backup, signaling a critical "officer needs assistance" situation, though codes vary by agency and can also relate to traffic (reckless driving) or warrant processes in some areas. It's a high-priority, all-hands-on-deck call for emergencies like an ambush, violent encounter, or dangerous pursuit, requiring rapid deployment of resources.