While the familiar 10-code system (10-4, 10-20, etc.) forms the foundation of police radio communication, law enforcement agencies across the United States employ a sophisticated array of additional codes to ensure rapid, precise, and secure communication. These specialized codes include state-specific penal codes, health and safety violations, vehicle codes, and operational status indicators that allow officers to convey complex information efficiently over congested radio frequencies.

Understanding these supplementary codes provides valuable insight into law enforcement operations for scanner enthusiasts, journalists, researchers, and citizens interested in public safety communications. Beyond the standardized 10-codes, officers routinely reference legal statutes by their code numbers, use agency-specific terminology, and employ phonetic alphabets to eliminate confusion during critical incidents. This comprehensive guide explores the most commonly heard police scanner codes throughout the United States, with particular emphasis on California’s widely-adopted system that has influenced law enforcement communications nationwide.

California Penal Codes (PC) on Police Scanners

California Penal Codes represent one of the most frequently cited code systems on police scanners, not only in California but also in agencies that have adopted similar numbering conventions. These codes allow officers to quickly communicate the nature of a crime without broadcasting lengthy descriptions over public airwaves.

Most Common California Penal Codes

How Officers Use PC Codes

When dispatchers or officers reference these codes on the radio, they’re quickly establishing the nature and severity of an incident. For example, an officer might report “211 in progress at the First National Bank on Main Street,” immediately alerting all units to an ongoing robbery without broadcasting unnecessary details that could compromise tactical operations.

The use of numeric penal codes also provides a degree of discretion when discussing sensitive cases over public frequencies that scanner enthusiasts can monitor. While these transmissions are technically public, the coded language prevents unnecessary alarm or detailed crime information from reaching the general public in real-time.

Health and Safety Codes (H&S)

Health and Safety Codes primarily address drug-related offenses, public health violations, and controlled substance crimes. These codes are critical in an era where substance abuse enforcement represents a significant portion of law enforcement activity.

Common Health and Safety Code Violations

Practical Application on Police Scanners

Health and Safety Codes are frequently heard during traffic stops, search warrant executions, and narcotics investigations. An officer might report “suspect arrested for 11350 H&S and 11364 H&S,” indicating arrests for both drug possession and paraphernalia. These codes help dispatch and other units understand the charges without lengthy radio transmissions.

The evolution of drug laws, particularly regarding marijuana legalization in many states, has changed how these codes are applied. What once constituted serious criminal violations in some jurisdictions may now be civil infractions or completely legal activities, demonstrating the dynamic nature of law enforcement communication.

Vehicle Codes (VC)

Vehicle Codes encompass traffic violations, vehicle-related crimes, and transportation offenses that officers encounter daily during patrol operations. These codes appear constantly on police scanners as they represent the most common form of law enforcement activity.

Frequently Used Vehicle Codes

Vehicle Code Usage in Law Enforcement

Vehicle Codes are among the most frequently transmitted codes on police scanners because traffic enforcement constitutes a primary law enforcement function. Officers conducting traffic stops routinely report the violation code to dispatch, allowing supervisors and backup units to understand the nature of the stop.

For example, an officer might radio “I’ll be out on a traffic stop, 23152 VC,” immediately alerting dispatch and other units to a potentially dangerous DUI situation that may require backup assistance. Similarly, “10851 VC recovery” indicates a stolen vehicle has been located, triggering specific protocols for investigation and owner notification.

Status and Condition Codes

Beyond legal statute codes, law enforcement agencies employ operational codes that communicate officer status, scene conditions, and tactical situations. These codes vary significantly by agency but share common themes across jurisdictions.

Universal Status Codes

Code 1: Acknowledge/Respond at your convenience (non-emergency)

Code 2: Respond immediately without lights and sirens (urgent but not emergency)

Code 3: Respond with lights and sirens activated (emergency response)

Code 4: Situation under control, no further assistance needed (also “Code 4 – Safety”)

Code 5: Stakeout/Surveillance operation in progress

Code 6: Out of vehicle for investigation (officers should announce “Code 6” when leaving their patrol car)

Code 7: Meal break/Out of service for food

Code 10: Subject in custody/Transport to jail

Code 33: Emergency radio traffic only (all non-emergency transmissions cease)

Code 99: Officer needs emergency assistance (highest priority)

Additional Operational Terms

Beyond numbered codes, officers use descriptive terms that provide immediate situational awareness:

• 10-15: Prisoner/subject in custody
• 10-33: Emergency traffic (similar to Code 33)
• 11-99: Officer needs help (emergency assistance required)
• 11-41: Beginning tour of duty
• 11-42: Ending tour of duty
• Signal 20: Location/What is your location?
• Signal 63: Prepare to copy information
• GOA: Gone on arrival (suspect fled before officers arrived)
• UTL: Unable to locate (person or vehicle cannot be found)
• ATL: Attempt to locate (broadcast for wanted person or vehicle)
  
  

Real-World Application

These status codes streamline communication during dynamic situations. When an officer radios “Code 4,” all responding units know they can cancel emergency response and return to regular patrol. Conversely, “Code 33” immediately clears the airwaves for critical emergency traffic, ensuring life-threatening situations receive communication priority.

Understanding these codes helps scanner listeners interpret the urgency and nature of police activity. A “Code 7” transmission simply means an officer is taking a meal break, while “Code 99” or “11-99” indicates a life-threatening emergency requiring all available units to respond immediately.

Phonetic Alphabet Usage in Law Enforcement

The phonetic alphabet represents a critical communication tool that prevents misunderstandings when transmitting names, license plates, and other alphanumeric information over radio frequencies subject to interference and distortion.

Standard Law Enforcement Phonetic Alphabet

Law enforcement agencies typically use the APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials) phonetic alphabet, which differs slightly from the military NATO phonetic alphabet:

A – Adam | B – Boy | C – Charles | D – David | E – Edward | F – Frank | G – George | H – Henry | I – Ida | J – John | K – King | L – Lincoln | M – Mary | N – Nora | O – Ocean | P – Paul | Q – Queen | R – Robert | S – Sam | T – Tom | U – Union | V – Victor | W – William | X – X-ray | Y – Young | Z – Zebra

Practical Applications

Officers use this phonetic alphabet constantly when running license plates, verifying names, or transmitting vehicle identification numbers (VINs). For example, a license plate “ABC-123” would be transmitted as “Adam-Boy-Charles-One-Two-Three,” ensuring dispatch and other units receive accurate information despite radio static or interference.

This standardization becomes particularly crucial during high-stress situations where miscommunication could endanger officers or result in the wrong person being detained. The phonetic alphabet eliminates confusion between similar-sounding letters like “B” and “D” or “M” and “N” that could lead to costly mistakes.

Scanner listeners will frequently hear officers spelling names and running vehicle information using these phonetic designations, providing clear evidence of professional communication standards in modern law enforcement.

Regional Variations and Agency-Specific Codes

While this guide focuses on widely-used codes, it’s important to recognize that law enforcement communication varies significantly by region, state, and individual agency. Some departments have entirely abandoned 10-codes in favor of plain language following recommendations from the Department of Homeland Security, while others maintain hybrid systems combining traditional codes with clear speech.

Major metropolitan areas like New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles each have unique code systems reflecting their specific operational needs and historical development. Federal agencies including the FBI, DEA, and Secret Service employ their own communication protocols that may differ substantially from local police codes.

Scanner enthusiasts should research their specific jurisdiction’s communication practices to fully understand local transmissions, as what constitutes standard practice in California may differ completely from procedures in Texas, Florida, or New York.

Conclusion

Understanding the diverse array of police scanner codes beyond basic 10-codes provides valuable insight into the complexity of modern law enforcement communication. From California Penal Codes that specify exact criminal violations to Health and Safety Codes addressing drug offenses, Vehicle Codes managing traffic enforcement, and operational status codes coordinating officer safety, these numeric and phonetic systems enable rapid, efficient communication during critical incidents.

For scanner enthusiasts, journalists covering public safety, researchers studying law enforcement practices, or citizens simply interested in their community’s police operations, knowledge of these codes transforms seemingly cryptic radio transmissions into comprehensible narratives of daily law enforcement activity. While specific codes vary by jurisdiction and evolve with changing laws and agency practices, the fundamental principles of clear, concise, and professional communication remain constant across American policing.

As you listen to police scanners in your area, remember that these codes represent more than mere numbers—they embody a sophisticated communication system designed to protect both officers and the communities they serve while maintaining operational efficiency in an increasingly complex public safety environment.