Do Cops/FireFighters etc have to use codes?

Question

Do Police officers and FireFighters an etc have to use codes?

Such as "10-4", "10-20". Would they get in trouble if they just said what they wanted to say instead of stating the codes?

Wouldn't it make more sense to have every department in the United States. Fight Departments an Police to use the same codes?

Answer 1

welll...they can use 10 codes or just plain english....it depends on the person

Answer 2

In the old days codes were used because the radio systems were not digital and were scannable (sp?) by anybody (bad guys included). We now have digital scrambled radio transmissions and codes are not completely necessary but they do cut down on transmissions and leave more free air time. For example if the dispatcher tells you something you didn't understand you say 10-9, instead of "please repeat that" or 10-27 for "wait a minute" 10-6 "arrived at the location". Also if you are with a bad guy the dispatcher will say the 10-code for wanted and the bad guy won't hear that he (or someone else) is wanted over the radio. Our fire and police radio systems are on different channels here so we don't listen to each others transmissions so it doesn't matter what codes are used.

Answer 3

Many police departments in the United States are actually moving from 'code' to plain speech over the radio. This is being enacted in several states after resent confusion cause by situations such as the September 11th terrorist attacks. Several departments from different areas were forced to work together and had differing codes which created confusion. However because most police have worked with the codes their entire careers it is a slow process that is being integrated into daily use.

Answer 4

They do use codes. They do not get in trouble if they do not. The codes are just to speed the commutation and make understanding better.

as
The dispatcher would ask "Unit 15 your 10-20" In words it would be Unit 15 what is you location. the short 10-20 is clear and short. The radios used today are much better but they still use the codes. Each city may change the codes so 10-20 could be I need to pee or any thing

Answer 5

A lot of departments have thier own set of codes to make transmissions on the radio shorter. Some departments want them using the codes whether it is the "10-series" codes or whatever.

However, since FEMA has come up with this big kick with NIMS (National Incident Management Systems), they have decided that they want to get all departments on the same page. They actually state to use "clear text". Basically meaning to say what you mean on the radio and not use department specific codes anymore.

The idea behind all of this is in case there is an emergency or incident to requires multiple agencies to respond to an area, they can all communicate with each other with the least amount of confusion. 10-55 around my parts means drunk driver, where as somehwere else it could mean nothing or burglary.

By taking away department specific codes and speaking with "clear text" on day to day operations, it can get people used to doing that on the radio in the even of some large scale catastrophe.

Answer 6

Good question. I was trained with the commen 10-code system. After 9/11 the Department of Homeland Security proposed a new rule for all law enforcement agencies across the county to become NIMS complient. NIMS is a type of Incident Command system built to allow multi-jurisdictional agencies work together. With a leeter signed by the President of the United States, we are to begin changing our policies to a "plain language." Unfortunatley, with this transaction, they have given us about 150 acronyms to memorize. Good ol' federal government...making it easier by making it more complex.

Answer 7

The 10 codes used to be a big thing they still use them but around here we are starting to turn away from them and use plain text...its much easier to understand and get your point across by saying just what you want? The whole country is slowly trying to use plain text instead of 10 codes...

Answer 8

Most fire departments are going away from them and using plain text. As far as police departments they use them to cut down on the amount of radio traffic because they are brief. It is not because they don't want you to know what is going on. If you speak in plain talk you tie up the radio for extended periods of time and if someone needed to get on the air to request assistance they would not be able to because of the drawn out conversations. Our department is required to use them.

Answer 9

Malaysia doesn't require a dress code. The only place that I know is Saudi Arabia or Iran. Where what is comfortable.

Answer 10

Lots of them. They use them so in case someone is listening to a police ban radio they will not know what they are doing.