If you have ever listened to a police scanner or watched a crime drama on TV, you may have heard officers say things like “10-4” or “10-20.” These short phrases are known as police 10 codes. They are a special language that law enforcement officers use to talk to each other quickly and clearly over the radio. If you are curious about what these codes mean, especially for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), you are in the right place.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about Ontario Provincial Police 10 codes. You will understand what they are, why they are used, how they work, and most importantly, where you can get all of them online for free. The best part? You do not need to pay anything or sign up anywhere. A free and easy tool called Police Code gives you access to all police codes from around the world, including the Ontario Provincial Police codes.
Let us get started.
What Are Police 10 Codes?
Police 10 codes are short radio codes that police officers and other emergency responders use when they communicate over a radio. Instead of saying long sentences or descriptions, they use a simple number code. For example, instead of saying “I understand” or “message received,” an officer will simply say “10-4.”
These codes were first developed in the United States in 1937 by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO). The idea was to make radio communication faster, easier, and more private. Over the decades, police departments across North America, including in Canada, began using their own versions of these codes.
The “10” at the beginning does not mean anything by itself. It was originally used as a way to signal that a coded message was coming. The number after the dash is what carries the real meaning. So “10-1” means something, “10-2” means something else, and so on.
Different police departments may use slightly different codes, which is why it is important to find the specific codes used by the department you are interested in, such as the Ontario Provincial Police.
Who Are the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)?
Before we dive deeper into the codes, let us quickly talk about the Ontario Provincial Police so you have a better understanding of who uses these codes.
The Ontario Provincial Police, commonly known as the OPP, is one of the largest police organizations in North America. It is a provincial police force that serves the province of Ontario in Canada. The OPP is responsible for keeping the peace and enforcing laws in areas that do not have their own municipal or regional police service.
The OPP was established in 1909 and has grown significantly since then. Today, it employs thousands of officers and staff who work across Ontario’s highways, rural communities, waterways, and Indigenous communities. The OPP is known for its highway patrol services, but it also handles everything from criminal investigations to emergency response and community policing.
Because the OPP covers such a large and diverse area, clear and efficient communication is extremely important. That is where police 10 codes come in. Officers need a fast, reliable, and standardized way to communicate with each other and with dispatch centers. Using 10 codes helps them do exactly that.
Why Do Police Use 10 Codes?
You might be wondering why police officers do not just speak normally on the radio. Why use codes at all? There are several very good reasons.
Speed and Efficiency Radio communication needs to be fast. When an officer is in an emergency situation, there is no time to use long sentences. Saying “10-33” is much quicker than saying “there is an emergency situation and I need immediate help.” Every second counts in police work, and codes make communication faster.
Clarity Radio signals are not always perfect. There can be static, interference, or background noise. Short codes are easier to hear and understand clearly than long sentences. If part of a sentence gets cut off, the meaning can be lost. But a short code is easier to repeat and confirm.
Standardization When every officer on a force uses the same codes, there is less confusion. Everyone knows what “10-4” means without having to think about it. This standardization makes communication much smoother, especially during large operations where many officers are working together.
Privacy Although police radio communications can often be monitored by the public with a scanner, using codes adds a small layer of privacy. It makes it harder for ordinary people or criminals to immediately understand what officers are saying.
Professionalism Using codes also helps keep communication professional and focused. It prevents officers from using slang or inconsistent language that could lead to misunderstandings.
A Look at Common Ontario Provincial Police 10 Codes
While each police department may have its own specific list, many 10 codes are widely used across North American law enforcement, including the OPP. Below is a general overview of some commonly used 10 codes to help you understand what you might hear on a scanner or read about in news stories.
10-0 – Use caution 10-1 – Signal weak or poor radio reception 10-2 – Signal good or clear radio reception 10-3 – Stop transmitting 10-4 – Affirmative / Message received / OK 10-5 – Relay message 10-6 – Busy, stand by 10-7 – Out of service 10-8 – In service / Available 10-9 – Repeat last message 10-10 – Off duty 10-11 – Talking too fast 10-12 – Visitors present 10-13 – Advise weather and road conditions 10-14 – Prowler report 10-15 – Civil disturbance 10-16 – Domestic dispute 10-17 – Meet complainant 10-18 – Complete assignment quickly 10-19 – Return to station 10-20 – Location / What is your location? 10-21 – Call by telephone 10-22 – Disregard last message 10-23 – Arrived at scene 10-24 – Assignment completed 10-25 – Report to / Meet 10-26 – Detaining subject 10-27 – Driver’s license check 10-28 – Vehicle registration check 10-29 – Check for wanted 10-30 – Unauthorized use of radio 10-31 – Crime in progress 10-32 – Man with weapon 10-33 – Emergency / Help needed 10-34 – Riot 10-35 – Major crime alert 10-36 – Correct time 10-37 – Suspicious vehicle 10-38 – Stopping suspicious vehicle 10-39 – Urgent — use lights and siren 10-40 – Silent run — no lights or siren 10-41 – Beginning tour of duty 10-42 – Ending tour of duty 10-43 – Information 10-44 – Permission to leave patrol area 10-45 – Animal carcass on roadway 10-46 – Assist motorist 10-47 – Emergency road repair needed 10-48 – Traffic signal requires repair 10-49 – Traffic light out 10-50 – Accident (types may vary: F = fatal, PI = personal injury, PD = property damage) 10-51 – Wrecker needed 10-52 – Ambulance needed 10-53 – Road blocked 10-54 – Livestock on highway 10-55 – Intoxicated driver 10-56 – Intoxicated pedestrian 10-57 – Hit and run 10-58 – Direct traffic 10-59 – Escort 10-60 – Squad in vicinity 10-61 – Personnel in area 10-62 – Reply to message 10-63 – Prepare to write 10-64 – Message for local delivery 10-65 – Net message assignment 10-66 – Message cancellation 10-67 – Clear for net message 10-68 – Dispatch information 10-69 – Message received 10-70 – Fire alarm 10-71 – Advise nature of fire 10-72 – Report progress of fire 10-73 – Smoke report 10-74 – Negative 10-75 – In contact with 10-76 – En route 10-77 – ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) 10-78 – Need assistance 10-79 – Notify coroner 10-80 – Chase in progress 10-81 – Breathalyzer check 10-82 – Reserve lodging 10-84 – ETA (alternate) 10-85 – Delayed 10-86 – Officer / Operator on duty 10-87 – Pick up / Distribute checks 10-88 – Present telephone number of 10-89 – Bomb threat 10-90 – Bank alarm 10-91 – Pick up prisoner / subject 10-92 – Improperly parked vehicle 10-93 – Blockade 10-94 – Drag racing 10-95 – Prisoner / Subject in custody 10-96 – Mental subject 10-97 – Check (test) signal 10-98 – Prison break / Jail break 10-99 – Wanted / Stolen record
This list gives you a strong starting point. However, to get the exact and most up-to-date list of codes used by the Ontario Provincial Police, the best place to go is Police Code.
Where to Get Ontario Provincial Police 10 Codes Online for Free
Now, this is the part you have been waiting for. Where can you actually find all of these codes online, without paying a single cent?
The answer is simple: visit Police Code.
Police Code is a completely free online tool that works as a global police codes explorer. It brings together police radio codes, 10 codes, signal codes, and other law enforcement communication codes from departments across the world, all in one easy-to-use place.
Here is what makes Police Code so great:
It Is 100% Free You do not need to pay anything, subscribe to any service, or enter your credit card details. All the codes are available to everyone, completely free of charge.
It Covers Ontario Provincial Police Codes Police Code includes codes specifically used by the Ontario Provincial Police. Whether you are a student doing research, a journalist, a scanner enthusiast, or just a curious person, you can find the exact OPP codes you are looking for.
It Is Easy to Use The website is designed to be simple and user-friendly. You do not need to be a tech expert to use it. Just visit the site and start exploring. The layout is clean and easy to navigate.
It Is a Global Police Codes Explorer Police Code does not just cover Ontario or Canada. It covers police codes from law enforcement agencies around the world. This makes it a very powerful reference tool, whether you are researching codes for a specific department or comparing how different forces communicate.
It Is Always Available The website is online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whenever you need to look up a code, you can just visit Police Code and find what you need in seconds.
To get started, go to Policecode and begin your exploration of Ontario Provincial Police 10 codes and beyond.
How to Use the Police Code Website
Using Police Code is very simple. Here is a quick step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1 – Open Your Browser Open any web browser on your phone, tablet, or computer. This could be Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or any other browser you prefer.
Step 2 – Go to Policecode.info Type Policecode.info into your browser’s address bar and press Enter. You do not need to search for it using a search engine. Just type the address directly.
Step 3 – Explore the Police Codes Once the website loads, you will see the global police codes explorer. From here, you can browse codes by country, by state or province, or by specific police department. Look for the Ontario Provincial Police section to find the OPP 10 codes.
Step 4 – Find the Code You Need Browse the list or use the search function to find a specific code. Each code is listed with its meaning so you can understand it instantly.
Step 5 – Bookmark the Website If you plan to visit again, bookmark Policecode.info so you can come back anytime. Simply refer to it as Police Code for quick reference.
That is all there is to it. In just a few clicks, you have access to a full list of Ontario Provincial Police 10 codes and thousands of other police codes from around the world.
Who Can Benefit from Knowing OPP 10 Codes?
You might be wondering who actually needs to know these codes. The answer is: quite a lot of people.
Scanner Enthusiasts Many people enjoy listening to police scanner radios as a hobby. Knowing the 10 codes helps them understand what they are hearing in real time. Police Code at Policecode.info is an excellent companion tool for scanner enthusiasts.
Students and Researchers People studying criminal justice, law enforcement, communications, or public safety often need to learn about police codes as part of their coursework. Police Code is a great free resource for academic research.
Writers and Journalists Authors writing crime fiction or journalists covering law enforcement stories often need accurate information about how police communicate. Having access to OPP 10 codes helps them write more realistic and accurate content.
Emergency Preparedness Workers People who work in emergency management or disaster response sometimes interact with police departments. Understanding the basic language of law enforcement can help coordination during a crisis.
Curious Citizens Sometimes people just want to understand the world around them a little better. If you live in Ontario and you want to know what your local police are saying on the radio, learning the OPP 10 codes is a great way to stay informed.
Truck Drivers and Taxi Operators Many professional drivers in Ontario monitor police radio frequencies for traffic updates and road condition reports. Knowing what the codes mean helps them respond to road situations more effectively.
No matter which category you fall into, Police Code is ready to serve you with free, accurate, and easy-to-understand information.
The History of 10 Codes in Canada
Canada has a long history of using radio communication codes in law enforcement. While the United States developed the original 10 codes in 1937, Canadian police forces quickly adopted and adapted similar systems over the following decades.
In Ontario specifically, the Ontario Provincial Police has been using radio communications since the early 20th century. As radio technology improved and expanded, the need for standardized codes grew. The OPP, like most large police organizations in Canada, developed its own set of 10 codes that officers learn during their training.
Over the years, there has been some movement in the United States toward abandoning 10 codes in favor of plain English speech. This shift was partly driven by confusion that happened during major disasters like Hurricane Katrina in 2005, where different agencies using different codes struggled to communicate with each other.
In Canada, however, many police forces, including the OPP, have continued to use versions of the 10 code system, often alongside plain speech. The codes remain a quick and efficient tool for everyday police communication, even as technology continues to evolve.
Are OPP 10 Codes Different from Other Police Codes?
Yes, there can be differences. While many 10 codes are used in a similar way across North American law enforcement, individual agencies often customize their codes to fit their specific needs.
The Ontario Provincial Police may use some codes that are different from, say, the Toronto Police Service or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Some departments add new codes, remove ones they do not use, or assign slightly different meanings to the same number.
This is exactly why a dedicated resource like Police Code is so valuable. Instead of guessing or relying on a generic list that might not be accurate for the OPP specifically, you can go directly to a source that organizes codes by department and region. This helps you get the most accurate and relevant information possible.
Police Codes vs. Plain Speech: An Ongoing Debate
It is worth noting that there is an ongoing conversation in law enforcement about whether 10 codes are still the best way to communicate. Some experts argue that plain speech is clearer and reduces the risk of confusion, especially during large-scale emergencies involving multiple agencies.
In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security has encouraged agencies to move toward plain language communication for this reason. But in Canada, the situation is different. Many Canadian police forces, including the OPP, still find value in using codes for day-to-day communication. Codes are faster, more professional, and well understood by all officers within the same department.
The Ontario Provincial Police trains its officers in both code-based and plain speech communication, depending on the situation. For routine calls and normal operations, codes are used for efficiency. For more complex, multi-agency situations, officers may switch to plain English to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Whether codes continue to evolve or eventually give way to plain speech entirely, one thing is clear: understanding OPP 10 codes today is still very relevant and very useful.
Tips for Learning Police 10 Codes
If you want to learn and remember OPP 10 codes, here are some helpful tips:
Start with the Most Common Codes You do not need to memorize every single code on the list. Start with the ones that are used most often, such as 10-4 (OK), 10-20 (location), 10-33 (emergency), and 10-76 (en route). These will give you a solid foundation.
Use Flashcards Write a code on one side of a card and its meaning on the other. Review them regularly until you know them by heart.
Listen to a Scanner If you have access to a police scanner or a scanner app on your phone, listen to OPP communications. When you hear a code, look it up on Police Code at Policecode.info. Over time, you will start to recognize codes automatically.
Practice with a Partner If a friend or family member is also interested in learning codes, practice together. One person says the code, and the other gives the meaning. Turn it into a game to make it fun.
Visit Police Code Regularly Make Policecode.info your go-to reference. Every time you hear a code you do not recognize, look it up. Over time, your knowledge will grow naturally.
Final Thoughts
Ontario Provincial Police 10 codes are a fascinating and practical part of how law enforcement in Ontario communicates. Whether you are a hobbyist, a student, a writer, or just a curious person, understanding these codes opens up a whole new layer of awareness about how the police do their job.
The best news is that you do not have to work hard or spend any money to access this information. Police Code gives you everything you need, completely free of charge. It is a global police codes explorer that covers the Ontario Provincial Police and hundreds of other law enforcement agencies from around the world.
All you need to do is visit Policecode.info, start exploring, and discover the world of police communication codes. It is simple, fast, and completely free. Whether you are looking for one specific code or want to browse the entire list, Police Code has you covered.
So go ahead, visit Police Code today, and unlock the full world of Ontario Provincial Police 10 codes and so much more. You will be amazed at how much you can learn in just a few minutes.