If you’ve ever heard “1146” crackle over a police scanner and wondered what is a 1146, here’s the short answer: the 1146 police code — properly written as 11-46 — means “Death Report.” It’s the radio signal officers and dispatchers use when a deceased person has been reported and a response is required.
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Quick Answer: The 1146 Meaning
- Code: 1146 / 11-46 / police code 1146
- Meaning: Death Report
- Used by: Law enforcement dispatch and patrol officers, primarily in the U.S.
- Code family: APCO 11-codes
1146 vs. 11-46 vs. Police Code 1146: Why the Different Spellings?
All three spellings refer to the same signal. The official format is 11-46, part of the APCO “11-code” series. When people type it into a search bar, the hyphen often gets dropped, which is why “1146 police code” and “police code 1146” are the most searched versions. For clarity in this article, we’ll use 11-46 when discussing the official code and 1146 when matching common search phrasing.
Where Did the 11-46 Police Code Come From?
The 11-46 police code traces back to the APCO radio code systems developed in the late 1930s. These shorthand signals were created so officers could transmit critical information quickly, clearly, and discreetly — saying “11-46” over an open radio channel avoids broadcasting the distressing words “death report” where the public might overhear. The 11-series covers a wide range of field situations, and you can explore how they fit into the broader system in our full list of police 10 codes and what each one means.
What Happens When Officers Respond to an 11-46 Call?
An 11-46 call triggers a serious, methodical response:
- Dispatch and routing — The dispatcher assigns the nearest units and relays the location and any known details.
- Scene security — Officers secure the area to preserve evidence until the circumstances are understood.
- Coroner notification — The medical examiner or coroner’s office is contacted to take custody of the deceased.
- Investigation decision — Officers determine whether the death appears natural, accidental, or suspicious, which decides whether detectives or crime scene protocols are needed.
Response urgency can vary by situation — learn how departments prioritize calls in our guide to police response codes (Code 1 through Code 4).
Related 11-Codes You Should Know
The 11-46 code sits in a cluster of related signals. Here’s how the neighboring codes compare:
For the wider universe of signals, browse our complete list of police codes.
Does 1146 Mean the Same Thing Everywhere?
Mostly, but not universally. The 11-code system is most strongly associated with California and other U.S. agencies that adopted APCO conventions, but individual departments can and do modify their codebooks. Some agencies have also shifted toward plain-language radio communication, which means you may hear “death report” or “deceased person” instead of 11-46 in certain jurisdictions. If you’re monitoring scanner traffic, always cross-check against your local agency’s published codes. For background on why these systems differ, see how police signal codes differ from 10-codes and penal codes.
Common Misconceptions About the 1146 Meaning
- It’s not a penal code section. 1146 is a radio code, not a criminal statute — don’t confuse it with numbered laws.
- It’s not California Title 15 § 1146. That regulation covers secure custody of minors, a completely separate numbering system that happens to share digits.
- A higher number doesn’t mean a worse emergency. Police code numbers are identifiers, not severity rankings.
- It’s distinct from homicide codes. An 11-46 simply reports a death; if foul play is suspected, other codes apply — such as the widely searched 187 police code.