Mexico police codes — known in Spanish as códigos policiales de México — do Mexican law enforcement agencies use the standardized radio communication signals to transmit information quickly, clearly, and discreetly during patrols and emergency responses. These shorthand codes allow officers from the Secretaría de Seguridad Pública (SSP), municipal police, state police, and federal forces to communicate complex situations in just a few words or numbers over radio frequencies.
Whether you are a journalist, researcher, security professional, or simply a curious citizen, understanding Mexico’s police radio codes gives you a deeper insight into how law enforcement operations are coordinated across one of Latin America’s largest and most complex nations. Mexico operates a multi-tiered policing system that includes federal, state, and municipal forces — each of which may use slightly different code variants, though many are based on the internationally recognized 10-code system adapted for Spanish-language usage.
On Police Code, our mission is to be your global police code explorer — and Mexico is one of the most searched countries in our database by Spanish-speaking users across Latin America.
What Are Police Codes and Why Does Mexico Use Them?
Police codes are numerical or alphanumeric shorthand systems designed to standardize radio communications between law enforcement officers and dispatch centers. Instead of describing a situation in full sentences — which wastes time and can be intercepted and understood by criminals — officers transmit a short code that conveys the same message instantly.
Mexico’s national policing system has historically drawn influence from both U.S.-style 10-codes (widely documented in resources like our guide to Police Radio 10-Codes of the United States) and locally developed signal systems adapted to Mexican legal and operational contexts. Over time, the SSP and SEDENA (Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional) have developed their own internal code vocabularies as well.
To understand the broader picture of how police codes work globally, check out our overview of Police Codes and What They Mean.
Structure of Mexico’s Law Enforcement System
Before diving into the codes themselves, it helps to understand the three layers of Mexican law enforcement that use radio codes:
1. Policía Federal (Federal Police / Guardia Nacional) Since the transformation of the Policía Federal into the Guardia Nacional in 2019, federal forces have used a centralized communication system with standardized codes for nationwide deployment.
2. Policías Estatales (State Police) Each of Mexico’s 32 states operates its own police force with some variation in code systems, though most adhere to the national 10-code framework.
3. Policías Municipales (Municipal Police) Municipal forces are the most numerous and locally varied. Larger cities such as Mexico City (CDMX), Guadalajara, and Monterrey have their own dispatch systems, while smaller municipalities may follow state or federal standards.
Mexico Police 10-Codes — Complete List (Códigos 10 de México)
The 10-code system is the backbone of Mexican police radio communication. Below is the comprehensive list of 10-codes as commonly used across Mexican federal and state police agencies:
| Code | Spanish Meaning | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 10-0 | Precaución / Use con cuidado | Use caution |
| 10-1 | Recepción deficiente | Poor radio reception |
| 10-2 | Recepción buena | Good radio reception |
| 10-3 | Deje de transmitir | Stop transmitting |
| 10-4 | Mensaje recibido / Conforme | Message acknowledged / OK |
| 10-5 | Transmita el mensaje | Relay message |
| 10-6 | Ocupado — espere | Busy — stand by |
| 10-7 | Fuera de servicio | Out of service |
| 10-8 | En servicio | In service / on duty |
| 10-9 | Repita el mensaje | Repeat last message |
| 10-10 | Transmisión completada | Transmission complete |
| 10-11 | Hablando demasiado rápido | Speaking too fast |
| 10-12 | Visitantes presentes | Visitors present |
| 10-13 | Condiciones del clima / tráfico | Report weather/road conditions |
| 10-14 | Informe de investigación | Convoy or escort |
| 10-15 | Detenido en custodia | Suspect in custody |
| 10-16 | Recoger detenido | Pick up prisoner |
| 10-17 | Recoger material | Pick up papers/evidence |
| 10-18 | Rápidamente / Urgente | Complete assignment quickly |
| 10-19 | Regresar a la base / cuartel | Return to station |
| 10-20 | Localización / ¿Cuál es su ubicación? | Location / What is your location? |
| 10-21 | Llame por teléfono | Call by phone |
| 10-22 | Cancele el último mensaje | Disregard last message |
| 10-23 | En espera | Stand by |
| 10-24 | Asignación completada | Assignment completed |
| 10-25 | Reúnase con el oficial | Meet with officer |
| 10-26 | Detención por sospechoso | Detaining suspect |
| 10-27 | Verificar licencia de conducir | Check driver’s license |
| 10-28 | Verificar registro de vehículo | Check vehicle registration |
| 10-29 | Verificar antecedentes | Check for warrants/records |
| 10-30 | Infracción a regulaciones | Violation of regulations |
| 10-31 | Crimen en progreso | Crime in progress |
| 10-32 | Hombre con arma | Person with weapon |
| 10-33 | EMERGENCIA — Necesita ayuda | EMERGENCY — needs help |
| 10-34 | Disturbio grave | Serious disturbance |
| 10-35 | Información confidencial | Confidential information |
| 10-36 | Hora oficial | Official time |
| 10-37 | Vehículo sospechoso | Suspicious vehicle |
| 10-38 | Parada de tráfico | Traffic stop |
| 10-39 | Urgente — use luces y sirena | Urgent — use lights and siren |
| 10-40 | Silencio de radio | Radio silence |
| 10-41 | Inicio de turno | Beginning of tour of duty |
| 10-42 | Fin de turno | End of tour of duty |
| 10-43 | Información | Information request |
| 10-44 | Permiso para salir de servicio | Permission to leave patrol area |
| 10-45 | Cadáver encontrado | Dead animal/body found |
| 10-46 | Ayudar a motorista | Assist motorist |
| 10-47 | Accidente vial — heridos graves | Traffic accident — serious injuries |
| 10-48 | Accidente vial — heridos leves | Traffic accident — minor injuries |
| 10-49 | En camino al accidente | Proceeding to accident |
| 10-50 | Volcadura / Choque | Vehicle accident / collision |
| 10-51 | Solicitud de grúa | Wrecker needed |
| 10-52 | Solicitud de ambulancia | Ambulance needed |
| 10-53 | Carretera bloqueada | Road blocked |
| 10-54 | Animales en la carretera | Livestock on highway |
| 10-55 | Conductor ebrio | Drunk driver / DUI |
| 10-56 | Accidente con ebrio | Intoxicated pedestrian |
| 10-57 | Hit and run | Hit and run |
| 10-58 | Dirigir tráfico | Direct traffic |
| 10-59 | Escolta de convoy | Convoy or escort |
| 10-60 | Escuadrón en alerta | Squad in vicinity |
| 10-61 | Personal desconocido en área | Unidentified person in area |
| 10-62 | Responder al mensaje | Reply to message |
| 10-63 | Preparar para copiar | Prepare to copy |
| 10-64 | Red local activada | Local net activated |
| 10-65 | Red de emergencia activada | Emergency net activated |
| 10-66 | Cancelar mensaje | Cancel message |
| 10-67 | Todos en alerta | All units comply |
| 10-68 | Despachar información | Dispatch information |
| 10-69 | Mensaje recibido | Message received |
| 10-70 | Incendio | Fire alarm |
| 10-71 | Reportar incendio | Report fire |
| 10-72 | Reportar progreso de incendio | Report fire progress |
| 10-73 | Reporte de velocidad | Speed trap |
| 10-74 | Negativo | Negative |
| 10-75 | En contacto con | In contact with |
| 10-76 | En camino | En route |
| 10-77 | Tiempo estimado de llegada | Estimated time of arrival (ETA) |
| 10-78 | Necesita ayuda urgente | Need assistance urgently |
| 10-79 | Notificar forense / médico | Notify coroner |
| 10-80 | Persecución en progreso | Chase in progress |
| 10-81 | Solicitar reporte de respiración | Request breath test |
| 10-82 | Reservar habitación | Reserve lodging |
| 10-83 | Trabajo de escuela en área | School work in area |
| 10-84 | Si el número de teléfono es… | If phone number is… |
| 10-85 | Retrasado — aproximadamente… | Delayed — approx… minutes |
| 10-86 | Oficial de servicio | Officer on duty |
| 10-87 | Recoger cheques | Pick up checks |
| 10-88 | Teléfono del oficial | Advise phone number |
| 10-89 | Alerta de bomba | Bomb threat |
| 10-90 | Alarma de banco / robo | Bank alarm / robbery |
| 10-91 | Recoger detenido / animal | Pick up prisoner / animal |
| 10-92 | Irregularidad en parquímetro | Parking meter |
| 10-93 | Verificar mi señal | Check my signal |
| 10-94 | Vehículo en carrera ilegal | Drag racing |
| 10-95 | Prisionero / detenido en custodia | Prisoner in custody |
| 10-96 | Persona inestable mentalmente | Mental patient / suspicious person |
| 10-97 | Llegando a escena | Arriving at scene |
| 10-98 | Asignación completada | Assignment completed |
| 10-99 | Registro de delincuentes | Records / warrants |
| 10-100 | Parada personal / baño | Bathroom break / personal stop |
Mexico Police Signal Codes (Códigos de Señal)
In addition to 10-codes, many Mexican police agencies use Signal Codes for specific situations. These are widely used by state and municipal forces:
| Signal Code | Meaning (Spanish) | Meaning (English) |
|---|---|---|
| Señal 1 | Emergencia — Necesita ayuda inmediata | Emergency — Needs immediate help |
| Señal 2 | Urgente — Responda rápidamente | Urgent — Respond quickly |
| Señal 3 | Rutinario — Sin prisa | Routine — No urgency |
| Señal 4 | Regrese a la estación | Return to station |
| Señal 5 | Encuentro con sospechoso | Encounter with suspect |
| Señal 6 | Detención vehicular | Vehicle stop |
| Señal 7 | Detención peatonal | Pedestrian stop |
| Señal 8 | Persecución vehicular | Vehicle pursuit |
| Señal 9 | Disturbio doméstico | Domestic disturbance |
| Señal 10 | Altercado verbal / Pelea | Verbal altercation / fight |
Mexico Police Alphabet Codes (Alfabeto Policial Mexicano)
Mexican police agencies also use a standardized phonetic alphabet for spelling names, license plates, and other information clearly over radio:
| Letter | Code Word | Letter | Code Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | América | N | Nora |
| B | Buenas | O | Omega |
| C | Carlos | P | Pedro |
| D | Delta | Q | Quintana |
| E | Eduardo | R | Ramón |
| F | Francia | S | Sierra |
| G | Guadalajara | T | Tango |
| H | Hotel | U | Unión |
| I | Isaías | V | Victoria |
| J | Juárez | W | Whiskey |
| K | Kilo | X | Xavier |
| L | Lima | Y | Yankee |
| M | México | Z | Zapata |
Mexico Crime / Incident Codes (Códigos de Incidentes)
Many Mexican police departments, especially in larger metropolitan areas like CDMX, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, use numerical incident codes to classify crimes and emergency situations. These vary by state but commonly include:
| Code | Incident Type (Spanish) | Incident Type (English) |
|---|---|---|
| C-1 | Robo a transeúnte | Street robbery / mugging |
| C-2 | Robo a negocio | Business robbery |
| C-3 | Robo de vehículo | Vehicle theft |
| C-4 | Robo a casa habitación | Home burglary |
| C-5 | Lesiones por riña | Injuries from fight |
| C-6 | Homicidio | Homicide |
| C-7 | Violación / Agresión sexual | Rape / sexual assault |
| C-8 | Secuestro | Kidnapping |
| C-9 | Extorsión | Extortion |
| C-10 | Fraude | Fraud |
| C-11 | Narcóticos / Drogas | Narcotics / Drugs |
| C-12 | Armas ilegales | Illegal weapons |
| C-13 | Detenido | Detention / arrest |
| C-14 | Accidente de tránsito | Traffic accident |
| C-15 | Persona fallecida | Deceased person |
| C-16 | Incendio | Fire |
| C-17 | Amenaza de bomba | Bomb threat |
| C-18 | Violencia familiar | Domestic violence |
| C-19 | Privación ilegal de la libertad | Unlawful detention |
| C-20 | Alteración del orden público | Public disorder |
Mexico City (CDMX) Specific Codes
Mexico City operates one of the most advanced law enforcement communication systems in Latin America through its C5 (Centro de Comando, Control, Comunicación, Cómputo y Calidad) platform. CDMX police use additional radio codes specific to the capital’s operational needs:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P-1 | Ciudadano en peligro |
| P-2 | Persona buscada / peligrosa |
| P-3 | Menor de edad en riesgo |
| P-4 | Persona en crisis mental |
| P-5 | Extranjero sin documentos |
| P-6 | Migrante |
| Código Rojo | Situación de alto riesgo / tiroteo |
| Código Azul | Oficial herido |
| Código Verde | Situación bajo control |
| Código Negro | Deceso confirmado en escena |
| Código Amarillo | Alerta preventiva |
| Código Blanco | Falsa alarma |
Federal Police / Guardia Nacional Codes
The Guardia Nacional, which replaced the Federal Police in 2019, uses a federal-level communication protocol that includes:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| GN-1 | Unidad en patrulla activa |
| GN-2 | Apoyo solicitado |
| GN-3 | Detenido transferido a MP |
| GN-4 | Operativo en curso |
| GN-5 | Zona asegurada |
| GN-6 | Contacto con crimen organizado |
| GN-7 | Coordinación con SEDENA |
| GN-8 | Vigilancia de instalaciones |
Mexican Police Status Codes
Officers routinely report their status to dispatch using brief status codes:
| Status Code | Meaning (Spanish) | Meaning (English) |
|---|---|---|
| En servicio | En patrulla activa | On active patrol |
| Fuera de servicio | No disponible | Off duty / unavailable |
| En escena | Llegando o en el lugar del incidente | At or arriving at scene |
| Libre / Disponible | Disponible para asignaciones | Available for assignment |
| Ocupado | Atendiendo llamada | Attending a call |
| Fuera del aire | Sin comunicación de radio | Off radio / no comms |
| Con detenido | Trasladando detenido | Transporting detainee |
| En base | En la estación | At the station |
How Mexican Police Codes Compare to Other Countries
Mexico’s police code system shares many features with that of its northern neighbor, the United States. This is natural given the cross-border cooperation between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies. However, there are key differences:
The U.S. employs both 10-codes and popular scanner codes that have become widespread in civilian media and pop culture. Mexico’s codes, by contrast, are less publicly documented and vary more significantly between federal, state, and municipal agencies.
In neighboring Brazil, police codes also combine numeric signal systems with specific incident classification codes, as explored in our detailed guide to Police Codes of Brazil.
For a broader perspective, our complete Radio Codes List covers police radio communication conventions from across the Americas and around the world.
Key Mexican Law Enforcement Agencies That Use Police Codes
Understanding which agencies use codes — and in what contexts — helps put this information in perspective:
Guardia Nacional (GN) — National-level law enforcement replacing the former Policía Federal since 2019. Responsible for combating organized crime, protecting federal infrastructure, and supporting state forces.
Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC) — The cabinet-level ministry that oversees national public security policy and coordinates federal forces.
Policías Estatales — State police forces in all 32 Mexican states. Code variants differ by state, though the national 10-code framework provides a common baseline.
Policías Municipales — Municipal forces number in the thousands across Mexico. Larger city departments (e.g., CDMX’s SSC, Guadalajara’s SSPMG, Monterrey’s SSNL) maintain sophisticated dispatch systems with their own incident classification codes.
Agencia de Investigación Criminal (AIC) — The criminal investigation branch under the FGR (Fiscalía General de la República), operating with specialized codes for investigative work.
Emergency Numbers in Mexico
Alongside police radio codes, citizens should know the primary emergency contact numbers in Mexico:
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 911 | Número de emergencia nacional (National emergency number) |
| 089 | Denuncia anónima — SSPC (Anonymous crime reporting) |
| 800-00-85-400 | Centro Nacional de Atención Ciudadana |
| 55 5208-9898 | LOCATEL — Ciudad de México |
| 800-2234567 | Cruz Roja Mexicana (Red Cross) |
Mexico adopted the universal 911 system in 2016, aligning the country with North American emergency standards and replacing the older fragmented system of local numbers.
How to Read Mexico Police Scanner Codes
If you are monitoring Mexican police frequencies or studying law enforcement communications, here are some key tips for interpreting scanner traffic:
Code stacking: Officers often combine codes. For example, “10-38, 10-29” means “traffic stop, running a background check” — two actions happening simultaneously.
Location codes: Mexican officers frequently follow a 10-code with a geographic reference. “10-20” (location) followed by a street name or landmark is one of the most common exchanges.
Priority levels: Codes such as 10-33 (emergency) and Señal 1 represent the highest-priority calls and will cause all other radio traffic to cease until resolved.
Regional variation: Be aware that code meanings can differ between municipalities. A code used in Tijuana may differ from the same code in Mérida. When in doubt, context matters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the most common police codes used in Mexico? The most frequently used codes in Mexican law enforcement are 10-4 (message acknowledged), 10-20 (location), 10-33 (emergency), 10-8 (in service), and 10-7 (out of service). These are standard across most federal and state agencies.
Are Mexico police codes the same as U.S. police codes?Mexico’s 10-code system shares significant overlap with the U.S. standard, especially for codes 10-1 through 10-40. However, Mexico has adapted and extended the system with locally specific codes, particularly for organized crime, migration, and military coordination scenarios.
Do Mexican police still use 10-codes or plain language?Both. While the Guardia Nacional and many state forces have moved toward plain language radio communications as part of modernization efforts, 10-codes remain in widespread use — especially among municipal police departments that haven’t yet transitioned.
What is the emergency number in Mexico? The national emergency number in Mexico is 911, which was introduced nationwide in 2016. It covers police, fire, and medical emergencies in all 32 states.
What is “Código Rojo” in Mexico? Código Rojo (Code Red) in Mexico typically signals a high-risk or life-threatening situation, often involving gunfire, an armed suspect, or a dangerous standoff. It triggers an immediate, high-priority law enforcement response.
How do Mexico City police communicate differently? Mexico City uses the C5 platform (Centro de Comando, Control, Comunicación, Cómputo y Calidad), which integrates real-time camera feeds, GPS tracking, and radio codes into a unified dispatch system. CDMX has additional “P-codes” and color-coded alerts not commonly found in smaller municipalities.
Can civilians listen to Mexican police scanners? In Mexico, scanning police radio frequencies is a legal gray area. While there is no specific law criminalizing the reception of police radio transmissions, using intercepted information to interfere with police operations or tip off criminal organizations is illegal. Many Mexican agencies have also migrated to encrypted digital communications to prevent interception.
What is “10-33” in Mexican police code? 10-33 is the universal emergency code in the Mexican 10-code system, meaning an officer needs immediate assistance. When this code is broadcast, all other radio traffic stops and every available unit responds.
Where can I find more police codes from other Latin American countries? Visit Police Code — our global database includes codes from Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and many more countries. You can explore our full Radio Codes List for a comprehensive global reference.
What agency replaced the Federal Police in Mexico? The Guardia Nacional (National Guard) replaced the Policía Federal in 2019 as Mexico’s primary federal law enforcement body. It operates under joint civilian-military oversight and uses a centralized communication system.
Conclusion
Mexico’s police code system is a rich and layered communication framework reflecting the country’s complex, multi-tiered law enforcement structure. From the standardized 10-codes shared with international agencies, to the locally adapted signal codes of the Guardia Nacional and the sophisticated dispatch protocols of Mexico City’s C5, understanding these codes offers a window into how over 400,000 police officers across 32 states coordinate their daily work.
Whether you are a researcher, security professional, journalist, or simply curious about how law enforcement communication works in Latin America, this complete guide to Mexico police codes (códigos policiales de México) has you covered.
Explore more country-specific police codes at Police Code — Your Global Police Code Explorer.