National Police Force

[Adrenolize]

I have been out of Law Enforcement for about 7 years (applying to get back in at the moment). I caught an article that seemed to suggest that Homeland Security is looking to convert radio traffic to 'plain speak' from the old 10 Code system. To me, this seems like another step closer to a National Police.

My question: Post 9-11, is there a lot of chatter out there for a National Police force? A few years ago, there wasn't a chance something like this could take place. However, these days everything seems to be up in the air.

Any thoughts?

[corporal716]

Obama wasn’t a National Police Force because it is one of the key components of creating a socialist government. It gives him more control and takes away from states rights.

[retdetsgt]

They have one, the FBI.

People aren't about to give up local control of their police.

[ispcapt]

Sorry, you'll have to find some other issue if you're looking for a "Big Brother" conspiracy.
The plain talk mandate came about when the realization finally came to light that not every agency uses the same 10 code or other codes. At one time in my 7 county district there were 21 different codes being used by the various agencies. The same numbers meaning completely different things. What's the impact of that? When there's a major incident and numerous agencies are all working together what you think your saying may mean something completely different to an officer in another agency. For example, let's say a tornado goes thru part of my district and destroys numerous towns in multiple counties. All of us LEOs and other emergency responders are working together. I come across a burning building and call in a "10-70". You, from another agency, send me a wrecker because "10-70" in your agency means "need a wrecker". Sorry, that wrecker isn't going to do me much good. Or you call me on the radio to find out when to go to lunch. I didn't understand your message so I repsond "10-9", meaning "repeat". You scratch your head wondering why I'm telling you I'm enroute to the hospital with the ambulance. Or you ask me where I want to meet for lunch and I reply "Code 23" which is our code for the bowling alley restaurant and you can't figure out why I want to meet at the home of a juvenile offender which is what "Code 23" means to your agency. Or even more serious concerning officer safety I radio that I have a guy 10-32 (man with a gun) and you don't respond because "10-32" in your agency means "enroute to breathalyzer."
Now do you see the need for plain talk?

[Adrenolize]

I'm not referring to the merits, (or lack thereof), for the Plain Talk on the radios. It makes a lot of sense. Nor, am I looking for Big Brother conspiracies. I am just curious if anyone has heard any rumblings. Homeland Security gets a lot of mandates these days, and it isn't such a far fetched thing that they start demanding that other things are streamlined across the country. After all, no one thought that there would be a National Health Care five years ago. Like it or not, it is a real possibility.

Some of the ideas make a lot of sense. Again, just curious to hear thoughts from those in the midst of things these days as I am looking to get back to policing.

[MountainMan]

National police force isn't possible because of states rights. The move to switch to plain speech has been around for a long time. At least 15 years if not longer. It has just become more urgent in the recent years when it has become more apparent to have a way to talk between agencies. In terrorist situations and natural disaster from Columbine to 9/11 to Hurricanes. It makes sense.

[corporal716]

They have one, the FBI.

People aren't about to give up local control of their police.

I don’t remember why, but in my first CJ class (20 years ago) they stressed that the FBI was not a police agency, that they are an investigative agency only. It might just be because they don’t wear uniforms.

I agree plain talk on the radio would be a good. I hated it when I changed departments and had to learn a new 10 code.

[Cat_Doc]

I don’t remember why, but in my first CJ class (20 years ago) they stressed that the FBI was not a police agency, that they are an investigative agency only. It might just be because they don’t wear uniforms.

Ha, I'd love to watch some FBI agents roll into the projects to try and intervene in a front yard domestic...or break up a bar fight. Best leave the street work to the street warriors.

Hell no to a National Police Force. If you want to do that, you might as well give up state's rights. Hey, aren't they trying to do that anyway?

I see no problem with going to plain speak, which is what is very often used anyway in a critical incident.

[retdetsgt]

I don’t remember why, but in my first CJ class (20 years ago) they stressed that the FBI was not a police agency, that they are an investigative agency only. It might just be because they don’t wear uniforms.

I agree plain talk on the radio would be a good. I hated it when I changed departments and had to learn a new 10 code.

I didn't wear a uniform either as an investigator, but I was a cop. They can make arrests, but as I recall only on federal warrants, no PC. And they can take the investigation away from a local agency if it fits within the profile.

Ten codes are dumb. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out what they mean after listening to a police radio anyway. Besides, with CAD, there's less air traffic in most places anyway so time isn't as vital.

[cntryboy0531]

I dont see what the big deal is about the ten codes and why homeland security wants to change them.. Let agencies use them if they want to, but switch to plain speak for incidents that require multiple agencies on the radio. It's not rocket science, and doesnt require national mandates. I like 10 codes for the simple reason I talk less on the radio.

[CityOfChicago]

In my 'ville, there are no 10 codes, other than 10-4 - which means that the squad car has two officers working it, and 10-99 which means the cop is working solo:

1122?
1122.
You 10-4 or 99 tonight?
99 all night, squad.

Instead, we have something much more tedious. We have alpha codes and number codes. The numbers each mean something, as do the alpha. For example, commonly used:

1 - Domestic Disturbance
5 - Other Disturbance
11 - Suspicious Person
16 - Fire
18- Traffic Accident
19 - Other Police Service (generic for incidents that dont fit the previous 18 codes)

A - Not a Bonafide Incident
B - No such person found
C- No such address
F - Peace restored
P - Other Police Service.

Using these codes, you can 'code' a job that requires no paper or of paper is refused. A domestic where they have setteled things themselves = 1F or 1P. A suspisious person that is not there when you drive throug = 11B.

SUCH a better system then 10 codes, eh?

[corporal716]

I like 10 codes for the simple reason I talk less on the radio.

If I remember correctly that was one of the original reasons for the ten codes. In 70’s I think agencies had to pay for their air time. These days the only good reason I see for keeping it is for when someone has to call for help. You don’t want to be waiting for someone to finish a long broadcast when sh&^ is going down.

[eaglei]

The mandate for plan talk only refers to mutual aid situations. It grew out of problems during 9-11 and Katrina.

[DeltaV]

Let agencies use them if they want to, but switch to plain speak for incidents that require multiple agencies on the radio. It's not rocket science, and doesnt require national mandates. I like 10 codes for the simple reason I talk less on the radio.

People always revert back to what they're used to doing, especially under stress. You can't really expect someone to do things one way 99% of the time and then do it a different way 1% of the time. We have officers who get excited occasionally and start talking in Spanish over the radio--because that's what they're used to speaking most of the time. The few times we've been on mutual aid frequencies for major incidents, people are always talking in code. This requires the dispatchers to constantly remind people switching to the frequency to use plain language.

[Safety Steve]

I dont see what the big deal is about the ten codes and why homeland security wants to change them.. Let agencies use them if they want to, but switch to plain speak for incidents that require multiple agencies on the radio. It's not rocket science, and doesnt require national mandates. I like 10 codes for the simple reason I talk less on the radio.

I agree with you cntryboy. Unfortunately I have heard my agency will be going to plain talk in the near future . Be Safe.