“We got a 10-14 over on 23rd and Main…
Oh, 10-22, it’s just a 10-54.”
Police-talk!
We’ve all wanted to know what cops are saying into their radios, so you’re finally about
to find out!
That, and all those mysterious сodes you hear over the intercom in stores and airplanes.
Alright, buckle in and pay attention – there’s gonna be a test!
- Police codes There are hundreds of these things to cover
almost every situation (even the most bizarre!), and they vary from one jurisdiction to the
next.
I’ve just chosen the most common, useful, and some of my personal favorites!
10-1: Poor reception – unable to copy.
And the opposite…
10-2: Good reception.
I can hear you.
10-4: Affirmative, message received.
A.k.a. – got it!
This one might be the most well-known.
The opposite would be 10-74: negative or nope!
10-5: Pass along information to officer or dispatcher.
10-6: Busy... unless urgent.
Skipping ahead - urgent is a 10-18, while an emergency is a 10-33
10-9: Could you repeat that?
10-10: Fight in progress.
Better break it up!
10-11: Dog case.
This could be a lost, found, or problem with a dog.
I hope Fido is okay.
10-12: Stop or stand by.
I’m waiting.
10-14: Prowler report.
Sounds like the synopsis for all those teen horror flicks.
10-16: Domestic complaint.
For when your neighbors are a little TOO into the new Taylor Swift album.
10-17: Meet complainant.
“Yeah, I have a complaint.
My neighbors are WAY too into the new Taylor Swift record.
Turn it down!”
10-20: What’s your location?
10-22: Disregard.
Guess the neighbors finally turned down their speakers.
10-23: I’ve arrived at the scene.
10-28: Requesting vehicle registration information.
Highway patrol officers probably use this one right after they pull you over!
10-30: Unnecessary use of radio.
Referring to the police radio, of course.
I guess when other cops are using it to tell knock-knock jokes to each other?
10-31: Crime in progress.
Oh boy.
10-35: Major crime alert.
And that’s a big “Oh boy!”
10-39: Turn your lights and sirens on – you need to get to this case fast because it’s
very urgent.
A silent run (without lights and sirens) is a 10-40.
10-49: Traffic light is out…because sometimes policework isn’t as action-packed as we
think…
In this case, you’ll probably need to call a 10-58 (direct traffic).
10-50: This is for an accident, followed by F for fire, PI for personal injury, or PD
for property damage.
10-54: Livestock on highway.
I imagine this one gets used a LOT in the Midwest…
10-70: Fire alarm
10-73: Smoke report.
But where there’s smoke, there’s usually a 10-70!
10-78: Need assistance.
10-80: Chase in progress.
Cue Kenny Loggins “Danger Zone” – nevermind, don’t do that, you know the rules!
10-93: Uh-oh, this road’s been closed off with a blocade.
Better find an alternative route.
10-94: Drag racing.
If they don’t knock it off, they’re gonna run into that 10-93!
10-98: Jailbreak.
(Hey, check behind the Rita Hayworth poster!)
10-101: What’s your status?
And if it’s secure (you’re okay), that’ll be a 10-106!
Okay, I started this video off with a “10-14 over on 23rd and Main…
Oh, 10-22, it’s just a 10-54.”
Can you decipher my message now?
Leave it down in the comments!
And while you’re doing that, let’s move on to…
- Hospitals Also pretty familiar thanks to TV and movies,
hospital codes are a little easier to follow since they aren’t numbered (and there aren’t
a bazillion of them).
Usually based on a system of colors, here are the most widely used codes you may hear
over the intercom.
Code Blue: Heart or respiration stop.
If someone can’t breathe or their heart has stopped beating.
Well that’s not good.
Code Grey: Combative person.
Uh-oh, somebody really doesn’t like getting shots.
Code Orange: A hazardous material has been spilled.
Grab a mop and a hazmat suit!
Code Pink: Pediatric emergency.
Code Red: Fire.
Code Silver: A weapon or hostage situation.
Code White: Neonatal or newborn emergency.
Amber alert: Abducted child.
This one is used universally throughout the U.S., not just in hospitals.
Code Clear: The announced code or emergency is over.
Phew!
Sometimes, you’ll even hear “Paging Mr. Post”…which is code requesting a ride
for someone who needs a trip to the morgue!
- Air Travel If you’ve ever been on a plane, you know
there’s always a lot going on.
From dealing with nervous passengers to navigation and mechanical issues, you’d be right to
guess there are a lot of codes pilots and flight attendants use to communicate quickly
and discreetly to avoid causing a panic.
Mayday!: Certainly you’ve heard this one in movies and TV shows.
Let’s just hope you don’t hear it 3 times in a row while mid-flight since this is what
a pilot says to signal that the plane is going down.
And that’s why we always pay attention to those pre-flight instructions!
Don’t cha?
Cabin Crew Arm Doors and Cross-Check: This directive from the pilot to the crew is used
to get them prepared for a possible need to exit the plane quickly.
If you hear this one, hopefully, you’re on the ground already.
Code Blue Juice: Sounds delicious!
Unfortunately, this isn’t referring to some free Berry Blue Kool-Aid for everybody onboard.
It’s about the toilet water on the plane.
No you don’t want to lick that popcycle…
Code 7500: You definitely don’t want to hear this code called out since it signals
that the plane’s been hijacked or is otherwise in danger.
Code 7600: This is a loss of radio communication.
It sounds worse than it usually is since most radio issues are just caused by temporary
interference, which is a 15 yard penalty.
[show NFL football ref throwing a penalty flag.]
Code 7700: Is a bit of a vague one, and it’s meant to be that way.
In a nutshell, it signals some kind of urgent issue.
If you hear a flight attendant call it, it’s likely an issue with a passenger, be it medical
or otherwise.
Code Barf: I actually made this one up, but it means “What’s up, Chuck?”
It happens more often on planes than 7600.
Last-minute paperwork: This one is used by flight attendants or pilots to reassure passengers
why there’s been a delay.
“Sorry for the delay, folks, we just have to deal with some last-minute paperwork before
we can take off,” is one way you may hear it expressed.
This just means there’s a random situation, often routine maintenance or mechanical check
or a slight change in the flight plan to avoid bad weather.
Or maybe the wing has to be bolted back on, who knows?
It’s the kind of thing that’s as routine as paperwork to a flight team, and calling
it such is certainly less likely to scare any aerophobes on board.
Now onto Ships Let’s head out to the sea and check out
what weird word combinations you might hear on your next cruise!
The funny thing about ship emergency signals is that they’re often said or rang 3 times.
For simplicity’s sake, I’ll just say them once!
Code Red: You may have guessed “fire” again on this one, but on a ship, this code
is referring to an outbreak of an illness.
Probably should’ve stayed away from those oysters…
Code Blue: A medical emergency.
Is there a doctor onboard?
Mr. Skylight or Star Code: A minor incident or medical emergency.
Mr. Mob or Code Oscar: Man overboard.
Hope he remembered his life preserver.
Charlie: There’s a security threat onboard.
Echo: Potential collision with another ship.
Lookout!
Red Parties: Possible fire.
Bravo: Definite fire.
Delta: There’s been damage to the ship.
Probably after a triple Echo…
Priority 2: A leak.
Well, that’s not good when we’re dealing with ships…
Purell: Somebody just got seasick.
Crew, go clean it up!
Ew…
Kilo: Everyone report to their emergency posts.
Retail Stores Back on land and into the real world, the
last set of codes are those you’ll hear while shopping at your local mall or big box
retailer.
NORA: This simple acronym means “Need Officer Right Away” and is used, well, when an officer
is needed… right away.
Code Adam: Created by Wal-Mart in 1994, this code has been adopted far and wide and is
even mandatory in US federal buildings to bring attention to a missing child.
Time Check: Nope, doesn’t mean you should look at your watch.
If you hear this one – get out!
Safely and calmly, of course, as this code is used to alert staff of an explosive in
the building.
Oh boy.
Code Black: Severe weather warning.
I’ll take a tornado warning to a time check any day.
Code Orange: There’s been a chemical spill.
Yup, just like hospitals!
Code Red: Any guesses?
Yeah, it’s fire again.
Code White: An unspecified accident.
Someone probably just knocked over the dollar DVD endcap again.
Code 300: Security.
Code C: Customer service needed.
“Yeah, I just wanna return these socks my grandma got me for the holidays for the 10th
year in a row.”
And there you have it.
A slew of “secret” codes that aren’t a secret to you anymore!
Like I said, these codes can vary from place to place, but this should give you a good
idea of what to listen for so that you can react accordingly!
So, are there any “secret” codes you use at school or work, and can you add any others
to this list?
Let me know down in the comments!
If you learned something new today then give this video a “like” and share it with
a friend.
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Remember: Stay on the Bright Side of life!