Still Use 10-Codes?

[MrJim911]

Do you still use 10 codes or any other form of code usage like Signal 8 for example? Or do you just use plain language? We still use 10-Codes (and plain language) but we never use them when communicating with other agencies since they may not interpret them the same way. I ask because there seems to be a nationwide decline in the use of 10 codes but I know alot of agencies still use them alot.

[kels]

Kansas still uses 10 codes for the most part.
I believe that Nebraska and Oklahoma do also.
But not the same one. So if you are listening to
out of state traffic-you will really be confused.
You would also not believe how many different
codes are used for lunch/supper break.

[Lupey]

We only use 10 for 2 things 10-7 is secured 10-4 obvious. Then we have 4-1, 4-100, 100 orange, 100 green 1000-1 and many others. It is wacked but it works :D

[MrJim911]

As long as it works that's all that matters. It's just interesting to see how everyone does things with codes.

[Birky]

My department uses signal code and there are about 400 of them they cover everything from police fire and ems. Talk about a pain in the butt when you come from a department that uses plain english to a department that uses this many codes. I personally prefer plain english.

[kenoshacop]

We still use 10 codes for the most part with some plain english thrown in here and there. We use "code 4" to let any other responding squads know that everyting is fine and no back-up is needed.

[Noodle]

we still use Columbus Oh's 10 code system on our very fast and up to date super hightech run card system.;)

[JazznDBluz]

Jim ~

Our center doesn't use the 10 code, we have our own codes
1 - 15, as well as plain language. On the code side, instead of using 10-4, we use Code 4. I've been with other agencies within my state that use 10 codes and I prefer what my agency uses. I also like using Copy, and giving the time instead of 10-4 being used constantly. I don't have anything against the 10 code, I'm just accustomed to the way our center uses the radio and it sounds more professional.

I will always remember the 10 code..just can't seem to get 'em erased from my brain..lol. Whenever State Patrol (Troopers), calls me on our frequency, I tend to fall back to the 10 code out of habit.. ( some old habits are really hard to break, huh? lol )

We will be going to the 800 trunking system sometime in the near future, and I'm just wondering for those that have it, how do you like it, etc. I welcome allllllll comments, too!

Suz






Originally posted by MrJim911
Do you still use 10 codes or any other form of code usage like Signal 8 for example? Or do you just use plain language? We still use 10-Codes (and plain language) but we never use them when communicating with other agencies since they may not interpret them the same way. I ask because there seems to be a nationwide decline in the use of 10 codes but I know alot of agencies still use them alot. :star: :star: :star: :star:

[MrJim911]

I found a brief history on the use of 10-codes, though some might find this interesting.
~~~~~~~
Over the years, public safety dispatchers have developed a semi-standardized code for speaking on the radio. Although the trend during the past 10 years has been to use plain English for law enforcement and fire communications, many agencies still use codes on the radio. The code is known as "the ten code" because the actual code is preceded by the word "ten." The origin and reason for this is unknown. However, it appears that the "ten" prefix was meant to signal that the numbers following are part of the code, and not an address, age, phone number, etc. Over the years, as more codes were added, the number of ten-codes ran out, and agencies began using "eleven" as a prefix. At some point, other agencies developed a nine-code that accomplished the same thing but used the number nine as a prefix.

We do know that the first published 10-Code was in the APCO Bulletin of January, 1940, after a meeting of the State Systems Standards Committee in Springfield (Ill.). APCO also took a stab at standardizing codes back in 1973 as part of their Project 14 to make radio communications more concise.

Despite attempts at standardization, there are probably 20 to 30 versions of the original 10-Code being used across the county. Even when an agency uses the standard list, they probably have customized a some of the codes for their own use.

[KYEMT325]

Most Kentucky agencies use some form of 10-codes. The trend seems to be though for them to be uniform so that cooperating agencies can understand them. In the far Eastern and Western parts of the state, most 10 code systems used by local police are derived from the Kentucky State Police official list. In Central Kentucky, most surrounding agencies of Lexington-Fayette Metro area use Lexington PD's codes, and Louisville-Jefferson County does the same in their area.

Our written policy has always been, however, that if someone doesn't understand a code, use plain English. Our purposes to use the codes is not to convey a "secret" message (cause all the media outlets have lists of our codes and listen intently to the scanners), but to cut down on the amount of unnecessary traffic on the radio.

[DispNowCopL8r]

With 30-40 cops on our channels at a normal period of time, they better damn well use 10 codes or I'm gonna beat some Butts!! Yes we use them, and use them a lot.

[MrJim911]

LOL...Good point. Plain english tends to make transmissions a tad lengthy. Especially for those officers who like to tell stories when they are disposing a call. I like 10 codes.....

[Smalto1014]

We don't even say 10-4 in our department. It's either "received" or "right"....

[Noodle]

In my department 10-4 equals traffic crash - no injuries
10-4a traffic crash- injuries- hit skip
10-5 traffic crash- injuries
10-5a traffic crash - injuries- hit skip
and so on. All of the other ways of using 10-4 that most people are reffering sounds like smokey and the Bandit type stuff:bounce:

[ladymoonlite]

My department still uses 10-codes pretty heavily, peppered with plain language. I say if you can't remember the right code it's better to spit it out in plain language than use time trying to figure it out!

I was recently visiting with a department in Nebraska, however, that uses NO 10-codes at all, including 10-4! Every radio transmission was acknowledged with the time. I thought, BOY OH BOY is this the worst form of clock-watching in the WORLD! :eek:

[MrJim911]

I'd quite if I had to do that....Uggg....

[KYEMT325]

Originally posted by ladymoonlite

I was recently visiting with a department in Nebraska, however, that uses NO 10-codes at all, including 10-4! Every radio transmission was acknowledged with the time. I thought, BOY OH BOY is this the worst form of clock-watching in the WORLD! :eek:


We are required to end every transmission with the correct time for purposes of keeping officers up to date on the time (so that they don't ask you for times later for their reports), and so that it makes it easier to pull a tape for court should it get subpoenaed.

Example:
Officer: Unit 222
Me: Unit 222
Officer: I'll be 10-8, Code 3 to the Fire Department
Me: Unit 222 clear at 0700 hrs.

We END the transmission sequence with the time.

[ladymoonlite]

Does that include every on-scene or other status change? I mean, we give the time to acknowledge an in-custody or a enroute or arrival time on a transport, etc., but this was more like:

Ofc: D123
TC: D123
Ofc: Traffic at 2nd/Main on ABC123
TC: 1534 (time)

Ofc: I321
TC: I321
Ofc: On Scene
TC: 1534 (time)

Ofc: D123
TC: D123
Ofc: Clear of the stop
TC: 1535 (time)

She was going through enough radio traffic that the acknowledgements were 3-4 each minute! I only sat with her for about 40 minutes but I was aware of every SINGLE minute.

[KYEMT325]

yes, if another officer has different unrelated traffic that immediately proceeds another officer's traffic, I am to acknowledge the time at the end of our transmission sequence as well.

Ofc: 122
Me: 122
Ofc: Code 3
Me: 1515(hrs)

Ofc: 113
Me: 113
Ofc: Case Number
Me: 113 Case Number 02-01234
Ofc: 02-01234 clear
Me: 1515

Every transmission sequence must end with the dispatcher speaking and acknowledging the times. We are the controllers of the airwaves, the radio is only thing we have control over at the PD, and we are to maintain that control and not let the officers dilute it or run over each other or us on the air. So I guess the mentality is, that if there's nothing else you can think of to say, then give the time anyways. Who knows.

[ladymoonlite]

Wow, I guess it's all in what you're used to - but I'd think this would make for a LOOOOONG day, constantly aware of the exact moment of the day. :boring:

[CPD-Dispatcher]

Originally posted by Noodle
In my department 10-4 equals traffic crash - no injuries
10-4a traffic crash- injuries- hit skip
10-5 traffic crash- injuries
10-5a traffic crash - injuries- hit skip
and so on. All of the other ways of using 10-4 that most people are reffering sounds like smokey and the Bandit type stuff:bounce:

What state are you from noodle. They r the same as our 10 codes

[K9 Police]

Well I must say that up here in Racine, WI they do it a little bit different. When I was in Minnesota they used ALL plain english. They used Code 4 for almost every call when they felt that the emergency had cleared. In MN it looked like this

Ofc: 4371
Dispatch: 4371
Ofc: See report, clear
Dispatch: Copy, 10:35 (time)

Now, I am an Officer in Racine and it has taken some adjustments to get use to. Most everything is a ten code and they have a really wierd way of handling transmissions

Ofc: Squad 113 to Headquarters
Dispatch: 113
Ofc: Advise rescue to go 10-8
Dispatch: 113

So instead of giving the time, they just give the unit number AGAIN!!! Does anyone find this crazy? Ill get ready to put down the mic and then I think they are calling me again. I was definetly confused the first couple weeks on the street with that!

I thought it was interesting and wanted to share.

K9

[MrJim911]

I am against all plain language. It makes for messy, lengthy and unprofessional radio transmissions. Giving times after each transmission is also something I dont like. It's a waste of time.... No pun intended... Codes shorten transmissions and make them sound a whole heck of a lot better.

The exception is on the fire channel. We don't use 10 codes with them. It's too cumersome because many of the fire unit are simlar numbers. But fire dispatches are shorter and more to the point so plain language works well with them.

[Firewoman203]

We use 10 codes and some plain language. The officers and deputies we dispatch for understand the most common ones. Like 10-16 for a domestic and 10-96 for mental person when we give them a call.
We have other 10 codes we have made for our own use. 10-109 is a suicide attempt/ threat. The officers aren't familiar with those so we use plain language in those cases.

Our fire and first responders sometimes have some trouble with the 10 codes. We tend to use more plain language with them. Or we will use the 10 code then give them an explination. Like..."Colo fire you have a 10-90 fire alarm..... or you have a 10-70 house fire....." Sometimes they crack us up when they call out 10-23 ( on scene ), when we know they are acutally 10-76 (enroute).

We also finish each transmission with 10-4 and the time.

Mel

[Lupey]

We only give the time out when the officer is transporting a subj of the officers opposite sex.

Off: HQ - Sector 4 Transporting subj starting mileage 145000
Disp: 10-4 2207


Off: HQ Sector 4 Ending mileage 145003
Disp: 10-4 2215

[Cix8]

We still use 10 codes for dispatching and clearing calls. If we use free speach it is supposed be kept to a mininum.....but we all work with a few of those that love to hear themselves speak or the have to give a detailed explanation to why they cleared the call the way that they did.

[steph911]

OKC911 uses 10 codes but in training class it is emphasized that if you cant think of the code just use plain language. The purpose of ten codes is to communicate sensitive information to officers that we may not want the media or general public to hear. However, there was time that after dealing with an annoying elderly female whose story just didnt make sense, I ended my transmission with "and be advised this rp sounds sig 8"
About 3 minutes later a calltaker announced on the PA, "Supervisor you have a call on 911 phones from a citizen wanting to compliain that Stephanie called her crazy on the radio." So much for being discreet!

[CPD-Dispatcher]

Originally posted by steph911
The purpose of ten codes is to communicate sensitive information to officers that we may not want the media or general public to hear.

Our news media has our 10 codes. You can get the 10 codes & print them out from our department web site. The only reason we use 10 codes is, having 20 to 50 cars on the same radio, the radio it self can become very busy. Use as LITTLE air time as possible. Also using the 10 codes lets the officer know, he knows what we are sending him on, and that he did not misundertand our plain english.

[MrJim911]

Our 10-codes are not to communicate sensitive info either, like Ohioguy said, everyone and their mother knows the 10 codes. We use it to shorten and simplify radio communications. Makes them sound more professional.

[CustomsCop]

Originally posted by ladymoonlite
I was recently visiting with a department in Nebraska, however, that uses NO 10-codes at all, including 10-4! Every radio transmission was acknowledged with the time. I thought, BOY OH BOY is this the worst form of clock-watching in the WORLD! :eek:


Philadelphia PA PD does not use 10 codes including 10-4. They do use 10-37 which is for DUI however they do use several PA codes for dead bodies, mentaly ill yokels etc..

[Clark]

our agency is located in Northwest Wyoming, and we have changed to plain text, for a couple of reasons.

We receive requests out of Yellowstone Park, and some agencies in southern Montana, for assistance.

These agencies will toss a 10 code at us which makes sense to them, but doesn't come close to the system we were using. Received a call from Red Lodge Montana to be on the lookout for a vehicle heading our way, and probable cause in their 10 code was a motorist assist in our agency.

But there's some old-timers who don't feel like cops if they can't use it.

Exceptions are the code for Officer safety, an officer being held hostage, or a dead body.

[MrJim911]

The trick there is to make sure your only using 10 codes in your own agency. Whenever we have a major incident and are using regional channels we switch to plain text. Or whenever we deal with another agency in any situation.

[tcking]

We still use the 10-code at my agency.

I actually prefer using codes over plain english for a couple reasons:

1) It at least makes the folks in scanner land work a little bit to
understand what's going on. (not much, but a little bit, sometimes)

2) I find certain types of complaints to be dispatched more easily via codes than english. Of course the converse can also be true, especially when the incident doesn't quite fall in line with any particular code.

3) Time... Most cases, its a time saver using codes.

[CPD-Dispatcher]

Originally posted by tcking


I1) It at least makes the folks in scanner land work a little bit to
understand what's going on. (not much, but a little bit, sometimes)


Not around my area. You can get a copy of our ten codes off the Police department web sight. Heck I have had people call in and want to report a 10-4. I ask them well what is a 10-4? And they think I am nuts. They are like A Non Injury Accident. I have a scanner I know your ten codes. :)

[ladymoonlite]

We've been having this discussion in my department recently, and I don't think I buy most of the arguments for keeping 10-codes. I have no problem with the codes, but don't feel the arguments of scannerheads not knowing what's going on OR saving air time are valid. As OhioGuy points out, the codes are well-known or easily found/figured out (Radio Shack is usually good for distributing them); and since when does "Ten-Ten" (two syllables) take less air time to say than "Fight" (only one syllable)? The only real arguments that I have on the PRO side of this argument are that the "TEN" may prevent important information being cut off by shortkeying (the same reason I like "Three-Paul" before a beat designator) AND the fact that it's very traditional and supports the mystique of the career.:rolleyes:

lml - purist

[MrJim911]

I agree that 10 codes are not a "secret", anybody with half a brain can figure them out. However I do believe they are more professional in the way they sound. Although in my neck of the woods "a fight" is just as easy to say "10-10", I think when your giving our an entire transmission using more then one 10 code then you will save a few seconds. When you allow someone to have free reign with plain language their dispatches tend to get longer and longer. I think 10 codes remind us to keep the tranmissions short and to the point. Personally I like them and I wouldn't want to get rid of them. Plus it's always fun to throw out a rarely used 10 code at a rookie and see how he handles it... LOL :rolleyes:

[gone1096]

I agree with MrJim. The reason for ten codes is berevity. Get the call out with out using unnecessary air time. In smaller agencies, plain language is fine. In larger agencies where you have 30-40 officers all working off of one channel then you need to keep it as short as possible but still give the pertinent information to the officer. Although I know not every department has MDC's (or MCT's...whichever term your agency uses) my thoughts are to give them what is important and they can read the rest off their call screen in their car. Alot of agencies have policies where they aren't supposed to operate their computers while the car is in operation, however we all know that they still do.

The department I work for uses a mix of ten codes and signal codes. Mainly use ten codes for 10-4, 10-8, 10-23, 10-24, 10-51, 10-78. Probably a few others. Our actual dispatching for police is done using signal codes. Fire is dispatched plain language.

[MrJim911]

Our fire is also plain language.

[jpa]

We use only 10-4 and 27,28,29. Everything else is very plain language, I've even got officers who refuse to use 10-4, they'll even address me by my first name and then ask me to run a plate. We're on a cluster band that's cluttered enough as it is, I try to push for 10 codes to clear it up a bit.

[MrJim911]

Yikes. If someone called me by my first name I wouldn't even answer. But using a cluster band is not good at all. I feel for you. There should be grants to get your own freq, you should look for one.

[jpa]

Yeah, it was a bear when I was training cuz I never knew when they were calling me or if it was someone in another dept as I didn't know any voices. My trainer actually took points off because I was having trouble answering because I couldn't figure out when they were actually calling me. It's also a total pain if you've got an in progress call to go out and the band is tied up with someone running a cqh on some guy with a 12 syllable Polish last name. No CAD here, either so it's all on the air. The nice thing about the cluster is that we're all small depts with usually less than 10 officers on the street per dept. It's nice when we start getting the fight calls at 2am on Friday or when we get a real hot call. It's not uncommon for guys from other depts to just start wandering in that area and show up at the call, and it's much appreciated. It's easier for a dept to monitor the traffic and then act on it than having to relay on another freq or phone.

Technology-wise this dept is so backwards it's not even funny. Our radio console is from the early 80's, our phones are computerized with the speed dials and stuff but nothing is programmed. Our records system is all unix terminal based, the radio room just got windows PCs within the past 2 years when they upgraded to LEADS 2000. We've had an application to type/print complaints, but of course there is NO PRINTER available but the cheapo dot matrix for leads printouts. It's like they're trying to be progressive, but it's all done halfway.

[ladymoonlite]

Hmmm... looking for a change of scenery?

lml - always recruiting

[MrJim911]

OH! Our Director LOVES the dot matrix printers! He refuses to get the laser jets because their "too expensive".... Uggg....

[jpa]

Originally posted by ladymoonlite
Hmmm... looking for a change of scenery?

lml - always recruiting

I love working for the guys on the street, I've made some very good friends but the admin leaves a lot to be desired. Good people with good intentions, but their priorities are definitely not in the radio room. lml, I'll send u a pm.

-John


Jim: we've got two of those printers setup, the commander has 2 laserjets sitting on the floor in his office that he's "waiting for parts" to setup on our network so we can print the complaints. I could just see the clerk's face at Rolling Meadows if we sent over complaints printed on a dot matrix printer. :)

[MrJim911]

Ahhh, we are even getting a new building early next year and he's KEEPING the DOT matrix!!!!! :mad:

[Lupey]

Scanner land is for the most part gone with my dept. We went to the all digital system and yes I know there are scanners for it but right now they are way to expensive for the general public.

[jpa]

Personally, I don't care if someone out there has a scanner. I used to be a scanner bug when I was in HS and I think it gave me a great deal of insight into police work and what really happens in my city as well as an idea of radio protocol/terms and what NOT to do on the air. If something is so secret squirrel you don't want anyone else to hear it, cell phones/nextels are a beautiful thing, but even those aren't foolproof.

[flash61]

I work f/t in VT and as far as I know most of the state still uses 10 codes.

[fire1184]

Mostly the ENTIRE STATE OF GEORGIA still uses the APCO standard 10 codes. I'm in Liberty County (south of Savannah), we use all 10 codes and have a few signals to alert on wanted subjects. We also dispatch for GEORGIA STATE PATROL, which also uses standard 10 codes.

Post edited by OhioGuy

[CPDZone9]

Chicago only uses "10-4" for acknowledgement as a two-man unit, "10-99" for acknowledgement as a one-man unit, & "10-1" for "Get me some cars, I'm getting my a$$ kicked."

Or, to be more politically correct..."Officer needs assistance."

Anything else is like normal conversation...the level of formality depends on the individual dispatcher.

[unit83]

:skull: No one in my area has been on ten codes for over ten years. I was formerly from the southern tier region, which has been off ten codes for 20 years.

[Texas911]

The only 10-code we use is "10-4". We had a signal code system years ago, and a few of those codes are still used by the older guys in the department. For the most part, we're a plain speech agency, as are those around us.

I came from an agency that used all 10-codes and signal codes. When we get a new officer that came from another rural department that used those codes, I kinda snicker when they use them on the radio. Those were the days. ;)

[Ozarks911]

Our department uses as many of the APCO 10-Codes as possible. We even have a few of our own. The purpose is to keep radio traffic to a minimum just in case something "hits the fan" and rush traffic is needed. We reply with "10-4" only and not the time. Even when running a subject on a traffic stop, the dispatchers are only required to state the subject's driver's and warrant status. It usually goes like this "your subject is valid, negative 29s." If, however, the officer requests further, we do provide whatever he or she wants.

[spyder007]

We use plain english with a few exceptions. code 1-10, 12, 15, 17 and 20.

State Patrol uses 10 code and plain english.

[country]

Here's a funny story for you ref 10 codes:

I have been with the agency I am with now for a little over 2 yrs. Since I have been there they have been trying to do away with 10 codes all together, just plain language they say. I don't agree with this at all but that is another story. The rule has always been "NO CODES AT ALL ON FIRE/EMS CHANNELS". A few weeks ago there was five of us working. Unfortunately i was supervisor for the night. We were pretty busy which I usually love. We had a HUGE structure fire and I was loving it because the girl on fire channel is pretty 10-8. She knows what she is doing and is good at it. Half way through the structure fire (three million things going on) she turns to me and says "WHAT THE #$%^ ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT, THEY JUST ASKED FOR A SIGNAL 23?????" Well now, I have over 7 yrs dispatch experience and thought I had heard it all. Fire channel does not use codes and in the middle of a fully engulfed structure fire, they are asking for a signal 23. I looked around the room and no one there had ever heard of "signal 23". I grabbed the "BOOK OF ALL KNOWLEDGE" and there was nothing in it about signal 23 at all. We had to look like complete idiots and get on the radio and ask what is a signal 23 in the middle of half of the city burning down. It simply means page out all off duty fire personal but we didn't know that because we are suppose to be doing away with codes. A word of advice, if you are going to get rid of them, make sure everyone still knows what they mean just in case someone throws one in there. Needless to say, everyone at my agency now knows what a signal 23 is and how to handle it.

[MrJim911]

Originally posted by country
We had a HUGE structure fire and I was loving it because the girl on fire channel is pretty 10-8.

She was available?

[tcking]

Well, where I come from if we refer to someone as 10-8, it means they're squared away.

[country]

Sorry, yes she was squared away. She knew exactly what she was doing and what was going on.

[ladymoonlite]

How ironic. MrJim's comment illustrates the problem with codes/signals. I also thought "She's pretty available?" since that's what 10-8 means in this neck of the woods. One of the major problems with codes is that they vary so much. In the three states that I've worked in, the only consistent ones have been 10-4, 10-27 and 10-28. With the issues of interoperability and all, we might wind up confusing the heck out of each other when there's a major incident and multiple agencies need to be on the same talkgroup.

[AuntieDispatche]

Personally, I would like to go to plain speak rather than 10-codes. I too thought the comment "because the girl on fire channel is pretty 10-8. " meant she was pretty and available :confused: We use 10 codes, but when in doubt, I use plain English. I would rather the deputies understand what I mean than worry what scanner land. Most people who listen to the scanner know the 10 codes better than I do anyway. As for less radio traffic..how long does it take to say 10-74 10-99's as compared to no wants...they mean the same thing in this areas..10-74 meaning negative and 10-99 meaning wanted/stolen indicated...

Just my opinion..
Mary

[MrJim911]

I just realized how old this thread is.... Anyway...

I don't think there are any cons to using 10 codes when used appropriately. The first thing a person has to understand is that they are not used for secret or to "hide" transmissions. They are used to streamline communications. Streamlining communications results in a shorter more professional sounding broadcast that conveys the same meaning as a lengthier plain speech transmission. In my experience in listening to agencies use plain speech exclusively I notice a significantly longer broadcast with more errors of speech... (Eg: "Umm" "Uhh") Thus making the agencies broadcasts less professional.
One must also realize that 10 codes should not be used when communicating with other agencies since they may not utilize the same version of 10 codes as your agency. This means on shared frequencies as well as computer messages from one PSAP to another. These should be done in plain speech to eliminate any possibility of confusion.

[Dex133]

My center has just wrote new SOG's for police dispatching procedures, although they are not in place yet. One of the things eliminated from our center is the use of all 10-codes. Plain and simple English is to be used. The one thing we had a hard time with was a plain English phrase to be used when there is a positive "hit" on a subject or vehicle for example. We came to the use the term "Prepare to Copy" to let the officer know that there is "hit" on something when he is out with a subject. Anybody have any other ideas for what could be said?

[MrJim911]

My center has just wrote new SOG's for police dispatching procedures, although they are not in place yet. One of the things eliminated from our center is the use of all 10-codes. Plain and simple English is to be used. The one thing we had a hard time with was a plain English phrase to be used when there is a positive "hit" on a subject or vehicle for example. We came to the use the term "Prepare to Copy" to let the officer know that there is "hit" on something when he is out with a subject. Anybody have any other ideas for what could be said?

I'm sorry to hear they did that to you... I suppose you could say something like Isolate self for message.

[kirt]

For Misdemeanor hits we say "Mary" nothing else - when Deputy is ready we relay the rest of the information.
For Felonys we say "Frank"
For Parole and Probation "Paul"
And for sensitive information 10-35.

Hope this helps. Iam sure we are not fooling anyone, but I also hope the Deputies are in a position to recieve the information when they request it, this seems to work for us.

I also have mixed feeling on the 10 code issue. And see booth sides. I think the best is consistancy... We now seem to have a mix and it dont sound real professional. ie some use them and other dont. However, I belive that perhaps we should learn from the fire service that dont use them do to the possibility of a misunderstanding.

Kirt

[CPD-Dispatcher]

The one thing we had a hard time with was a plain English phrase to be used when there is a positive "hit" on a subject or vehicle for example.

My old department was a plain english department. We used the letter E before their car number when they ran an entered subject E=entered. So if car 253 was the car we would come back with
Radio to E253.

[kingpervis]

North Dakota is a little weird with their radio traffic. Everything is BACKWARDS. Any other states like this? Here is what I mean:

My unit number is 282. So if I'm going to call dispatch (which we refer to as "L-E-C" over the radio, for "law enforcement center"), it sounds like this:

"LEC, 282"

Now doesn't that sound like the LEC calling me? You say the person you're calling FIRST and THEN follow it with your unit number! This confused me for many weeks when I came to North Dakota. In my secuirty jobs in Minnesota, you would say your number first, and then say who you were calling, such as "282, Dispatch".

North Dakota has a statewide 10-code that is standard for all agencies. So if you work in Fargo, Jamestown, Grand Forks or Bismarck, it's all going to be the same.

[MrJim911]

Not weird at all. My agency is TriCom. When an officer calls out something it's...

"TriCom from 3paul2" or "TriCom, 3paul2"

That way makes sense to me. That how you would talk on the phone even. "Hey So-and-so, it's Jim."

[kingpervis]

That way makes sense to me. That how you would talk on the phone even. "Hey So-and-so, it's Jim."


I'm telling you, it's all a conspiracy to cause me confusion and disarray. WHY OH WHY IS THE WORLD AGAINST ME?????

Can you tell I've stayed up too late? :D

Time to go to bed! I just think it makes more sense the other way.

[CPD-Dispatcher]

Not weird at all.

It is for me :D

When cars call us, they air it like this

Car 141 to radio.
And same when we air for them

Radio to 141

They also have to ask to speak the dispatcher to speak car to car they can't just go talking to another car without the okay of the dispatcher.

[gone1096]

Wow, this is an old thread that keeps going and going and going! :)

We use a mixture and plain english, ten codes and signal codes. It works out well. When dealing with a surrounding agency we just use plain language.

If an officer is calling us on the radio, they just key up with their radio number. If they only say their radio number, then we know they are calling dispatch. If they are calling another unit, they say their unit number then the unit number of the one they are trying to call. For instance, they will say 241 to 242. So 242 will know that 241 is trying to raise him.

[CPD-Dispatcher]

Wow, this is an old thread that keeps going and going and going!

Ya well so is the guy that started this thread :p

[ladymoonlite]

When I started in dispatching (yes, back when conestoga wagons were crossing the West, Whippersnappers) we always called out our own ID first (ie, base to 123), and I remember a firefighter from out of town telling me that he thought that was backwards. He described what he thought of as the "correct" way as "Hey you - It's me!"

This is the method we use now, but I still have to make a conscious effort to order it properly before I key the mike. Old habits die hard.

[chom10-8]

10 Codes are used abundantly in my deptartment espeically for dispatch. My guess is for clarity and brevity of runs. We have 9 normal radio channels odds for dispatch and evens for service with multiple districts in each sector. One extra for overflow. If I learned another way of dispatching other than 10 codes I guess I would be ok too. But for now I prefer my 10 codes. Couldn't do it any other way.

Chom
:cool:

[jm77]

Speaking of which to use 1st when calling dispatch an old Sergeant (possibly in the early stages of dementia) once told me that all radio traffic east of the Mississippi transmits using identifier 1st (ex: "car 123 to control") and west of the Mississippi uses destination 1st. I figured he was just feeding the FNG a line of crap, can anyone substantiate that for me?

[kingpervis]

I lived in a city once that spans the Mississippi River. They used the

"Unit 305 to dispatch" method of speaking.......no matter which side of the river they were on.

[ladymoonlite]

... an old Sergeant (possibly in the early stages of dementia) once told me that all radio traffic east of the Mississippi transmits using identifier 1st (ex: "car 123 to control") and west of the Mississippi uses destination 1st. I figured he was just feeding the FNG a line of crap, can anyone substantiate that for me?

I've never heard that, and the agencies to which I'm referring have all been east of the Mississippi. The only radio trivia I know that refers to East/West of the Mississippi River is that all commercial radio stations call letters (EXCEPT KDKA/Pittsburgh) East of the Mississippi start with a W, and all of those West of the Mississippi start with a K. KDKA is the exception because it was the first.

[Dex133]

Hailing from Pittsburgh...and being a history buff, there's also one other radio station in Pittsburgh that starts with a K...that would be KQV...I know its 3 letters instead of 4...but that the official call sign.