Do You Know What These Police Codes Mean?

By: Beth Hendricks
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Do You Know What These Police Codes Mean?
Image: kali9 / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Sometimes, it just takes too long to say things you really need to say. Instead of texting, "talk to you later," we abbreviate it "TTYL." Rather than saying that we think something is funny, we might respond "LOL." We abbreviate temperature with a "°". We use an ampersand "&" when we're making a list. We even shorten "commercial" when we're typing a URL, like google.com. For decades we've looked for ways to shorten what we need to say ... in a way that the recipient will understand what we mean.

So, why should law enforcement be any different? Police officers spend all day communicating with one another, talking to dispatchers and relaying information to other departments such as fire and paramedics. Often, these conversations are urgent. Sometimes, they are a matter of life or death. That means this communication has to be quick and effective. Enter 10-codes. 10-codes are a system of numbers that correspond to different words and phrases understood by both parties. You've heard someone say, "10-4," before, right? "10-4" is the code for acknowledging something someone else says. Simple as that.

But, there's a whole world of 10-codes out there! Maybe you're a CB radio fanatic or you just like listening to police traffic on a scanner. Now's your chance to test your recall of 10-codes. See how many of these police abbreviations you know, from 10-1 to 10-106! 

10-18
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A police officer on a call that he or she would consider urgent would use which of these codes?
10-18
10-24
10-6
10-2
Meet complainant
Yuri_Arcurs / E+ / Getty Images
You just heard a "10-17" over the radio. What does it mean?
Fueling vehicle
Meet complainant
Left the station
Taking a break
10-4
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Perhaps the most recognizable of all police codes, this one means "OK." What code is an acknowledgment of something said?
10-2
10-4
10-6
10-8

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10-7
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An officer who is making a pit stop for a meal or a bathroom break might signal that he or she is which of these?
10-7
10-12
10-20
10-11
License information
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If you get pulled over by a police officer, they might request a "10-27" on you. What is a "10-27?"
Car towing
Breathalyzer request
License information
Personnel backup
10-13
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An officer trying to get information about weather or road conditions might signal one of these. Which is it?
10-100
10-13
10-15
10-82

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Smoke report
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A "10-73" might be used in communicating with a fire department. What is a "10-73?"
Smoke report
Fire update
Engine number
Time to put it out
10-19
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Dispatchers might issue a 10-code to get an officer to return to a prior location. What's that number?
10-22
10-12
10-15
10-19
Man with a gun
seksan Mongkhonkhamsao / Moment / Getty Images
It's a code officers hope to avoid, a "10-32." What does it represent?
Man on drugs
Man hit by a car
Man with a gun
Man with a knife

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10-26
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Police officers frequently detain suspects and use which of these codes to communicate that move?
10-31
10-22
10-26
10-47
Intoxicated pedestrian
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You might find a "10-56" near a bar. What does it mean?
Lost car keys
Individual passed out
Fight between two individuals
Intoxicated pedestrian
10-42
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When an officer retires or passes away, this is the signal used to illustrate that. What is it?
10-31
10-42
10-66
10-99

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Dogs
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A "10-11" means that an officer is dealing with a non-human scenario. What is involved?
Aliens
Dogs
Cats
Alligators
10-31
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It could be a bank robbery or a home invasion! Which police code indicates a crime is currently in progress?
10-29
10-31
10-5
10-98
A prowler is present
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What's happening when an individual reports a "10-14?"
A prowler is present
A traffic light is out
A rock slide has occurred
An officer is down

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10-46
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This police code frequently occurs on the side of the highway. What is it?
10-84
10-1
10-46
10-42
A tow truck is needed
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A "10-51" is probably called for after a motor vehicle accident. What does it signal?
There's glass in the road.
A tow truck is needed.
A wreck happened.
An officer is stranded.
10-54
Walter Bibikow / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Mooooo, get out of the way! What code would an officer indicate if there's livestock on the highway?
10-18
10-27
10-45
10-54

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No lights or sirens
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An officer's approach as a "10-40" indicates what type of arrival?
Both lights and sirens
Lights only
Siren only
No lights or sirens
10-74
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You probably know what a "10-4" is, but how would an officer indicate a non-affirmative answer?
10-24
10-74
10-70
10-55
10-80
FOX 11 Los Angeles via YouTube
We're fascinated by high-speed chases on television, but how does an officer indicate he's involved in one?
10-80
10-40
10-99
10-101

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The officer is delayed
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Sometimes, things come up! A "10-85" lets everyone else know what?
The officer is lost.
The officer is delayed.
The officer is busy.
The officer is off-duty.
10-58
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The traffic lights are out at a busy intersection. What signal indicates an officer is directing traffic?
10-9
10-41
10-55
10-58
A domestic situation
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A "10-16" is probably a fairly common occurrence in dealing with people. What does it represent?
A terroristic threat
A fistfight
A domestic situation
A petty theft

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10-77
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A friend might ask your "ETA." A dispatcher might ask an officer for the same, using which code?
10-22
10-72
10-61
10-77
Disregard
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An officer who says, "10-22," over the radio is telling you what?
"I'm here."
"Hurry!"
"Disregard."
"Stop!"
10-9
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If a transmission comes through and an officer doesn't hear it, he or she might request for it to be repeated by using which code?
10-9
10-7
10-11
10-20

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Drag racing
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It's all fun and games until an officer signals a "10-94." What does that represent?
Doing doughnuts
Drag racing
Running from the police
Speeding
10-79
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Which of these will be signaled when police encounter a deceased person?
10-79
10-85
10-39
10-8
10-90
YinYang / E+ / Getty Images
A bank alarm going off has its own police code. Which one of these is it?
10-22
10-80
10-90
10-34

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Vehicle registration details
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When officers call for a "10-28," what are they looking for?
Vehicle registration details
Driver's license information
License plate details
Information on car's make/model
10-10
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A fight at a restaurant or a concert might be explained with which of these police codes?
10-67
10-6
10-33
10-10
Weak signal
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Does anyone copy? A "10-1" might indicate which of these?
Stolen gun
Weak signal
Working alone
Lack of resources

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10-23
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Police officers don't send texts letting others know when they've arrived somewhere. Instead, they issue which of these signals?
10-88
10-92
10-23
10-101
The correct time
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What is an officer asking for when they issue a "10-36?"
The proper date
The day of the week
The correct time
The time in another time zone
10-24
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When a police officer wraps up an assignment, he or she lets dispatch know by issuing which of these?
10-24
10-21
10-18
10-53

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10-50
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This code indicates a wreck has happened, but only property damage is the result. What is it?
10-88
10-72
10-60
10-50
A hit-and-run accident
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A "10-57" is indicative of which type of accident?
A hit-and-run accident
A vehicle-versus-building accident
A no-fault accident
A parking lot accident
10-76
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This quiz is over and you might be "en route" somewhere else. How does a police officer indicate he or she is "en route?"
10-52
10-76
10-77
10-13

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