Do dispatchers like callers using the 10 code?

[mlg123]

When dialing 911 for any sort of emergency, can you use the "10 code" speech or do dispatchers prefer normal language to be used by callers?

[Johninaustin]

When dialing 911 for any sort of emergency, can you use the "10 code" speech or do dispatchers prefer normal language to be used by callers?

Your version of 10 codes in more than likely not THEIR version of 10 codes, if they know them at all.

What's wrong with plain language?

BTW: In larger depts you never talk directly to the dispatcher, the phone is anwered by a call taker. They would not know 10 codes if you dropped a copy in their lap.

[Lawson]

In our County the call-takers are cross-trained as dispatchers so they can cover their shifts or give them breaks. We don't use 10-codes, but when I phone in to our dispatch center, I will sometimes catch myself using "coptalk."

For instance a while back I had come upon a vehicle that had it's windows smashed out. Instead of saying that; I found myself saying "I am on-view a vehicle prowl, clear."

[mlg123]

Very true about different departments using different codes...didnt think about it

[shugs]

You would only waste time because they would need to ask you to clarify. Then they would laugh at you when u hung up. How many times do you dial 911 to be worrying about using codes?

[binky94]

Plain English is the best to talk with dispatchers......identify yourself and state your location and emergency. Give location first in case call is cut off for whatever reason.........

I am not a dispatcher (married to one) but this seems like common sense to me...

Most jurisdictions are going to plain English for interoperability factors..........what I say is what I mean.....no 10 codes.

[PVPD124]

When dialing 911 for any sort of emergency, can you use the "10 code" speech or do dispatchers prefer normal language to be used by callers?

Plain english

[gringoscott]

I've found myself using penal codes before. Whenever I was dispatching (security dispatch) and I'm handling my two channels, monitoring the PD beat channel, and trying to talk to a PD dispatcher at the same time. Sometimes the penal code just gets blurted out. Usually the PD dispatcher won't skip a beat, but I had one stop the conversation altogether and tell me that I needed to use plain english because my codes were different than their codes. Which is funny because a 20002 is a hit and run across the state. Doesn't change.

But a buddy made a good point. The dispatcher doesn't know if I know what I'm talking about. Better to take the extra 25 seconds to use plain speak so it can go out as the right call. So from then on out all trainees were told to never use 10 codes or Penal codes on the phone.

[hitnrun]

We have a fat bastard who lives in our county and loves to call 911 just to use "coptalk" to the dispathcers. He is a scanner jockey and loves to hear calls that he generated come out over the radio.

We started screwing with him right back and now anytime he calls dispatch, they let us know and we will go run his car in the driveway, pull him over whenever we see him driving and write him for whatever we can...etc.


Whatever.:rolleyes:

[MrJim911]

Don't use 10 codes when calling 911.

[WhiteLite]

When dialing 911 for any sort of emergency, can you use the "10 code" speech or do dispatchers prefer normal language to be used by callers?

In our county if you call 911 you go to the 911 call center. They are calltakers only, and do not dispatch for any agency. Merely a transfer station for the phone calls. If you were to use 10 codes with most of the operators there, they would have absolutely no idea what you were talking about.

As stated already, because 10 codes do change from one juristiction to the next, it's best to use plain english when describing a problem.

[craigo0087]

Plain talk is the best. Especially since in my county they train the new dispatchers on the 911 phones first, they prob have no idea what your talking about :D

[chewy]

If you call 911 and start spewing 10 codes they'l probably just think your a cop groupie or a wanna-be or could-a-been-flunked-out-of-the-academy-looser.

[StationM]

BTW: In larger depts you never talk directly to the dispatcher, the phone is anwered by a call taker. They would not know 10 codes if you dropped a copy in their lap.

We only have dispatchers, we handle both radio and phones.

And use plain speak, different agenices use different 10 codes.

[cajun]

Use english. Like some posters have mentioned already. A lot of departments are going to "clear talk" now...getting rid of 10 codes alltogether for the most part.