Plain Text vs. "10" codes

[Cat_Doc]

It also made communication clearer in emergency situations.

In my experience, Stan, this is absolutely the truth.

A few examples that happened while I was working shift come to mind and they carried much more impact than codes. (Plus some good laughs at choir practice.)

“Be careful, the fuc*er shot at me and they have my fuc**ing gun!” “I need fuc**ing back-up, NOW!” “The assh*le is running north, watch your ass, he pulled a knife on me!” :eek:

I am not condoning the profanity over the air, but it does catch your attention better than a code.

I think plain language, on secured and scrambled frequencies, is the wave of the future.

[StationM]

We have a 10 code for subjects suffering from mental illness.

Today was our first day of a 48 hour "try out" of plain talk. An officer needed to have the call type he was on changed so he told dispatch, "Change this call to a crazy guy." LMFAO!!!!

A supervisor sent out a computer message, "That will be 'mental subject' from now on." I laughed 5 minutes straight.

We use California welfare code for psych hold = 5150

Sometimes, we'll say an RP sounds 5149 1/2

[maz]

I completly agree! The guys safety is my top priority and I will always use a ten code. Joe Blow bad guy with a warrant and a concealed weapon is less likely to understand 10-99 but he is sure as sh*t going to understand the plain english version!

Our department uses all 10 codes and always will. I just wish the Troopers would use the same set of 10 codes we did. I'm sure I'll have to keep dreaming on that one though!

Well if you know your officer is out with a person who has a warrant you just blurt out the party has a warrant, YOU are the foolish one and is very negligent on your part. You are also foolish to think if you said a 10 code that the criminal doesn't know what you are talking about. I understand your feelings on 10 codes but to say you NEVER will and then the next sentance you say I wish the state police would use the same 10 codes is an example of why 10 codes need to be phased out. The state police doesn't know what the hell your talking about if you use your 10 codes or they may think you are saying something totally opposite if they go by their 10 codes when you were actually using your own 10 codes, this also is vice-versa if the state police jumps on your radio for some reason. In our agency we are all plain-text. If an officer is out with someone and needs someone run for warrants he asks to check ATS/ACS NCIC. ATS is Traffic warrants and ACS is criminal warrants. If the party does pop up for a warrant you call the officer and ask if he is clear to talk. for example, "7519 from county, you clear to talk?" The officer will either advise affirmative or negative and you go from there. If he says negative you don't proceed and it gives the officer a heads up that you have something to tell him but should use caution with the information. Seems to work well with us

[MrJim911]

I have to agree with Maz to a certain extent. While I don't agree with the phasing out of codes; because I think we all are smart enough not to use them when dealing with other agencies... (Training should emphasize that on both sides of the radio) If the officers are out dealing with bad guys, my expectation is that the bad guy has had enough contact with the police that he may know the 10 codes as well as the officer he is standing next to.

10 codes may have originally been created for radio secrecy and officer safety, but those days are long gone. 10 codes primary purpose now-a-days are for simplified/short and professional communication. The verbeage used along with good policy will keep officers safe when it comes to what is said and when it is said (ex:warrants).

[mcsap]

One of our stellar dispatchers gave us a " barking 10-11 call" 10-11 is a dog.

[YankeeFan004]

I have been out on some calls were the suspect that is being run on teletype is sitting there saying don't worry I am not 10-27 (wanted). I think the 10 codes allow you to say what you need to say on the radio quicker but it is no secret to what is being said.

[tx1119]

Well if you know your officer is out with a person who has a warrant you just blurt out the party has a warrant, YOU are the foolish one and is very negligent on your part. You are also foolish to think if you said a 10 code that the criminal doesn't know what you are talking about. I understand your feelings on 10 codes but to say you NEVER will and then the next sentance you say I wish the state police would use the same 10 codes is an example of why 10 codes need to be phased out. The state police doesn't know what the hell your talking about if you use your 10 codes or they may think you are saying something totally opposite if they go by their 10 codes when you were actually using your own 10 codes, this also is vice-versa if the state police jumps on your radio for some reason. In our agency we are all plain-text. If an officer is out with someone and needs someone run for warrants he asks to check ATS/ACS NCIC. ATS is Traffic warrants and ACS is criminal warrants. If the party does pop up for a warrant you call the officer and ask if he is clear to talk. for example, "7519 from county, you clear to talk?" The officer will either advise affirmative or negative and you go from there. If he says negative you don't proceed and it gives the officer a heads up that you have something to tell him but should use caution with the information. Seems to work well with us

1. How am I the foolish one? I follow MY departments procedure exactly! When a warrant pops up on someone I ALWAYS say 10-92, I wait for acknowledgement and then I say subj is 10-99. All I am saying is that by chance the subject could hear me he is less likely to understand 10-99 than subject has a warrant.

2. In the city that I work in it is very seldom we come across criminals who are familiar with the 10-codes.

3. Where I work we dispatch for our department as well as the state troopers. I am well aware of the different 10 codes used, it is mainly just an inconvenience on my part and while there are differences they are not major. Also, the state troopers are aware of the differences as well.

4. I live on an island in Alaska, trust me no other agencies will be on our frequency unless they are miracle workers! We dispatch for every agency on the island.

5. You took my original post completly out of context! I never gave you ANY reason to believe that I wouldn't see if my officer is clear for confidential information before I informed him, I definetly gave you no reason to think that I didn't now how to look up a warrant and what the difference in warrants is.

NOTE: Don't call someone foolish until you know the facts. If you were unclear on my meaning in the post or you needed clarification, just ask, I'm usually pretty nice and I enjoy a civil debate.

[Valor55]

I have to agree with Maz to a certain extent. While I don't agree with the phasing out of codes; because I think we all are smart enough not to use them when dealing with other agencies... (Training should emphasize that on both sides of the radio) If the officers are out dealing with bad guys, my expectation is that the bad guy has had enough contact with the police that he may know the 10 codes as well as the officer he is standing next to.

10 codes may have originally been created for radio secrecy and officer safety, but those days are long gone. 10 codes primary purpose now-a-days are for simplified/short and professional communication. The verbeage used along with good policy will keep officers safe when it comes to what is said and when it is said (ex:warrants).

Homeland security wants all of us to go to plain talk and use several standardized codes.

Signal 1 is the total emergency send everyone code.
Signal 2 is I need backup urgently but not everyone.
Signal 3 is I've made an arrest or I have someone in custody.
Signal 4 is I have sensitive information.

Signal 4 will fit the bill for "I need to tell you the guy you're with is a wanted ax murderer but I don't want him to hear when I tell you."

[WhiteLite]

Homeland security wants all of us to go to plain talk and use several standardized codes.

Signal 1 is the total emergency send everyone code.
Signal 2 is I need backup urgently but not everyone.
Signal 3 is I've made an arrest or I have someone in custody.
Signal 4 is I have sensitive information.

Signal 4 will fit the bill for "I need to tell you the guy you're with is a wanted ax murderer but I don't want him to hear when I tell you."

See, our agency has 10-codes, signals, and single number codes. in the order above:
Signal 1 is Go To channel 1.
Signal 2 is Go To channel 2.
Signal 3 is Go To channel 3.
Signal 4 is Are you Alright?.

Our 10-code for "visitors present?" is of course much different than the other code mentioned earlier in the post. We actually have signals 1-20, code 1-8, and 10-codes 1-100. Most aren't used, which brings to mind the point that they for the most part are pretty useless. However, there are still some situations, especially since we're not running on digital or even slightly secure radios, where it's nice not to have to say something out loud so everyone knows. At least with the 10-codes, there's a little bit of mystery for the people that don't know all 100 of them. Plain speak has it's uses, but so do the codes.
Our police freq. we have to use the codes, but when we dispatch fire, it's plain speak. Certainly gets confusing. :p "Engine 1, show you enroute for a 10-... err. a Motor vehicle accident with injuries..." :D

[kazz]

I have often wondered if my department is the only one still out there using 10 codes? I have spoken with other departments who have advised that they are converting to plain text as mandated by recent changes. My Sheriff refuses to use this! My Sheriff feels that the use of 10 codes protects the public from going into a state of fear before responding deputies arrive to confirm the complaint.

I for one feel that the 10 code approach is more professional and it saves us one hell of a headache from the media. The TV stations around my department are like leeches....they will hound you to death if they hear a call given out in plain text such as a shooting, robbery or rape. They will call every 5 minutes and request administrative pages to be sent.

Anyone having any input on dealing with this situation? :mad:

Yeah I know I'm late on this, but . . .

We used codes back in the 70's but have used plain text since the 80's. The media knew the codes anyway. We still use a few codes, code 1 to code 9.

And there's a few old ones that get used from time to time. I like the plain text but that's coz I'm used to it. Just my 2 cents worth.

[james13f]

We switched to plain english about a month ago.

It can be a bit annoying but overall I think it's not that bad.

[bighead]

21 to dispatch. I have a 10-95 for 10-55 who was in the 10-57 and had a 10-32. Run a 29 and also I need a zone 1 10-51 for the car which is 10-45.

21 to dispatch , I have a prisoner in custody for DUI who was in the hit and run and also had a firearm. Run this guy for warrants all ways and I need a zone 1 tow truck for the car which was in a crash.


I understand the reason behind getting away from the 10 codes ( interoperability) but am not terribly thrilled with the plain english way of doing things. BUT , I am just a small part of a large sytem and I have adjusted before and shall do so again.

As I read your post, I thought you were for the plain english until I got to the last paragraph. I find it hard that anyone prefers the first paragraph to the second. My agency uses a few codes for very common transmissions, such as available (10-8) and onscene (10-97), and we still use codes for accident calls, but other than that we are mostly plain english. As long as people realize the plain language doesn't mean diarreha of the mouth, I think it is the better way to communicate.

[Lawson]

21 to dispatch. I have a 10-95 for 10-55 who was in the 10-57 and had a 10-32. Run a 29 and also I need a zone 1 10-51 for the car which is 10-45.

21 to dispatch , I have a prisoner in custody for DUI who was in the hit and run and also had a firearm. Run this guy for warrants all ways and I need a zone 1 tow truck for the car which was in a crash.

Here that would be,

(me)Radio 1 Adam 10, Log one DUI. Also...

(Disp) Go ahead your also.

-radio break- (In case units have priority traffic)

(me)This is going to be our hit and run suspect. I will also need the next wrecker up.

As far as running people, we do that on the computer, or we switch to a channel that is specifically for running names, cars, serial numbers, etc..

[sirfjm]

for us that would be..

####(ID Number), 10-15 one time for Signal 1 And Signal 3M, 10-15 had Signal 0.

For warrants and tow truck, gotta change channel to the Crime Information Channel (teletype) and run them on that.

"#### to C.I.C. 10-65 a 10-29 by name (or 10-27 if I have a DL number). Also 10-65 10-43 for 10-70."

Once you get the hang of it, it's very quick.

Our agency uses the same 10 codes.

[in-dispatcher]

We went to plain talk about a year ago. Right now we just dispatch fire and ems but in a few months all the police departments will be merging with us and they still use 10 codes so i am not sure how that is gonna work out :confused: