What is a 10/4 in police talk?

Asked by: Prof. Kendrick Purdy DVM  |  Last update: July 5, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (57 votes)

In police code, 10-4 means "message received," "acknowledged," or "okay." It is part of the "10-Codes" (or ten signals) system developed in the 1930s and 1940s to simplify radio transmissions by making them brief and standardized.

What is the 10 code for dead body?

Many agencies use the 10 code “10-67" to report a death. The code “10-66" also means “notify medical examiner.”

What does a 10/20 mean?

A "10/20" (or 10-20) most commonly means "location" in CB radio and police jargon. Derived from police "ten-codes," it is used to ask for or state a person's current position, famously phrased as "What's your 20?" or "What's your twenty?".

What's a 10/7 in cop terms?

In police code, 10-7 generally means "out of service" or "off duty," indicating that an officer or unit is unavailable for calls. It is commonly used for lunch breaks, end-of-shift, or personal business, and in some contexts, it is used as a somber, unofficial term for a deceased person.

What does 22 mean in cop terms?

In police radio, 10-22 most commonly means "disregard last assignment/message". It is used to cancel a previous order or to inform dispatch that a unit no longer needs to respond to a call. In some specific jurisdictions or coding systems, "Code 22" may refer to "Restricted radio traffic".

Top 25 Most Used Police Codes Explained

18 related questions found

What does 1042 mean in cop code?

In police radio ten-codes, 10-42 signifies the end of an officer's tour of duty or shift. It is used to signal to dispatch that the officer is officially going off duty.

What does a 10-56 mean?

A 10-56 police code generally indicates an "intoxicated pedestrian" or, in certain contexts like in the show Yellowstone, it refers to a suicide. Because ten-codes vary significantly by jurisdiction, it can occasionally represent other, less common scenarios, but it is typically related to an intoxicated person in many standard police codes.

What is a 10 70 in police terms?

10-70 Prowler. 10-71 Shooting. 10-72 Knifing.

What does 10/42 mean?

10-42. — Crew change at ... Ending tour of duty. Off duty.

What age do most cops retire?

Most police officers retire between the ages of 45 and 55. Because many agencies offer full pension benefits after 20 to 25 years of service, officers who join the force in their early twenties often choose to retire in their late forties.

What does 10 4 and 10 2 mean?

10-4 and 10-2 are radio brevity codes (ten-codes) used to streamline communication, primarily in law enforcement and CB radio. 10-4 means "Message Received," "OK," or "Understood". 10-2 means "Signal Good" or "Receiving Well".

What is a 10-21 police code?

In police radio communication, 10-21 universally means "Call by telephone".

What does 33 33 mean in police code?

3. Roll Call a. Dispatcher will simulcast “Code 33, Code 33, all units stand by for a Roll Call.” i. If all units are accounted for or the reason roll call was initiated is discovered and is not an emergency, dispatch may cancel the Code 33.

What does a 10/23 mean?

"10 23" most commonly refers to Bible verses, with Proverbs 10:23 ("It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: But a man of understanding hath wisdom") highlighting that fools enjoy mischief, while wise people take pleasure in wisdom. Other interpretations include:

What does 217 mean in police?

In many police scanner codes, particularly those derived from California Penal Codes, 217 stands for Assault with Intent to Murder. This indicates a severe felony where an assault was committed with the specific intent to kill the victim, often referred to as a "217 in progress".

What does a 10-41 mean?

The meaning of "10-41" depends on the context, but it most commonly refers to a police 10-code meaning "beginning tour of duty" (starting a shift).

What is 1027?

10:27 a.m. in military format is 1027. The military format, similar to the 24-hour format, represents time as a continuous sequence from 0000 (midnight) to 2359, eliminating the need for AM/PM.

What does the verse 10 42 mean?

In Matthew 10:42, Jesus said, “If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded” (NLT). Even if you're just giving water to somebody thirsty, the Bible calls that ministry. We often think that ministry is teaching the Bible or leading worship.

What does 1042 mean for cops?

In law enforcement, 10-42 signifies the ending of an officer's tour of duty or shift. It is used over the radio to notify dispatch that an officer is going off-duty and finished with their patrol.

What is a 10/75 in police code?

The 10-75 police code most commonly signifies "Wanted or Stolen". It is used to report that a person, vehicle, or item is wanted or has been stolen.

What is a 10 56 in police code?

The police 10-56 code is not universal and varies entirely depending on the jurisdiction. It most commonly means suicide (or a coroner's/death case), but depending on the state or city, it can also stand for an intoxicated pedestrian or even a request for a tow truck.

What does a 10/35 mean?

"10:35" most commonly refers to the 2022 dance hit by Tiësto and Tate McRae, representing a feeling of infectious, carefree energy and nightlife escapism. The title suggests a specific, fleeting moment of excitement. It is also found in biblical contexts, such as Hebrews 10:35 (confidence/reward) and Matthew 10:35 (family division).

What does 97 mean in cop talk?

In police radio code, 10-97 (often shortened to "97") universally means that an officer has arrived at the scene of an incident or assignment. It is used to inform dispatch that they are on-site and beginning to handle the situation.

What is 10/92 in police code?

In most standard police ten-code systems, 10-92 means an improperly parked vehicle or a parking violation. It is commonly used to report a vehicle that is blocking traffic, parked illegally, or in a restricted zone.