Police codes, also known as ten-codes or radio codes, have been an integral part of law enforcement communication for decades. These codes allow officers to communicate quickly and efficiently over radio channels. Among these various codes, 10-38 holds specific significance in police operations. Let’s delve into what this code means, its history, application, and relevance in modern policing.
The Definition and Basic Understanding of Police Code 10-38
Police code 10-38 typically refers to a “traffic stop” or “stopping a suspicious vehicle.” When an officer radios in with a “10-38,” they’re informing dispatch and other officers that they’re pulling over a vehicle. This could be for routine traffic violations, suspicious activity, or as part of an ongoing investigation.
The code serves as a quick way to communicate the nature of the officer’s current activity without having to provide lengthy explanations over radio channels that might be busy with other communications. It’s essentially shorthand that helps keep radio traffic concise and clear.
However, it’s worth noting that police codes can vary between jurisdictions. While 10-38 commonly refers to a traffic stop in many departments, some regions might use this code differently. This variation is one of the challenges in standardizing police communication nationally.
The Historical Context of Ten-Codes
Ten-codes originated in the 1930s when police radio channels were limited, and communication needed to be brief. Charles “Charlie” Hopper, communications director for the Illinois State Police, is credited with developing the initial set of codes to improve radio efficiency.
The codes became widely adopted in the 1940s and 1950s as more police departments began using radio systems for communication. The ten-code system offered several advantages:
- Reduced radio transmission time
- Increased clarity in communication
- Added a layer of privacy from civilian radio scanners
- Standardized reporting of common situations
Code 10-38 became an essential part of this system as traffic stops represented one of the most common activities that officers needed to report. The ability to simply say “10-38” instead of “I’m conducting a traffic stop at [location]” saved valuable seconds and reduced radio congestion.
Procedure During a 10-38 Call
When an officer calls in a 10-38, they typically follow a standard procedure:
- The officer notifies dispatch with “10-38” followed by their location
- They often provide the vehicle’s license plate number and description
- Dispatch runs the plate information through databases
- The officer approaches the vehicle following department protocols
- After the stop is complete, the officer may call in “10-38 complete” or a similar code
During this process, the officer might discover other issues requiring different codes. For example, if they find outstanding warrants, they might follow up with a “10-15” (prisoner in custody) or if they need assistance, a “10-78” (need assistance).
A typical radio exchange might sound like: “Dispatch, Unit 235, 10-38 at Main and 5th, black sedan, California plate 123ABC.” This concise communication provides all necessary information while keeping the channel clear for other officers.
Regional Variations of Code 10-38
As mentioned earlier, police codes aren’t universally standardized across all jurisdictions. The meaning of 10-38 can vary depending on the department, city, or state. Here are some regional variations:
In some departments, 10-38 might mean:
- A different type of traffic stop
- Ambulance needed
- Abandoned vehicle
- Stop transmitting/emergency traffic only
For example, in certain California jurisdictions, a 10-38 specifically refers to stopping a suspicious vehicle, while a routine traffic violation might be a different code. Meanwhile, some departments in the eastern United States might use 10-38 to indicate an abandoned vehicle report.
This variation is why many departments now include the location and nature of the stop when using the code, providing context that helps clarify the situation regardless of potential code differences.
The Evolution Toward Plain Language
In recent years, there has been a significant shift away from ten-codes toward “plain language” communication in many police departments. This change was accelerated after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when emergency responders from different jurisdictions found themselves unable to communicate effectively due to differing code systems.
The Department of Homeland Security has since recommended using clear, common terminology rather than codes. Instead of saying “10-38,” an officer might now say, “Traffic stop at [location].”
Despite this trend, many departments still use ten-codes due to:
- Tradition and officer familiarity
- The brevity they provide in routine situations
- Their usefulness in providing some level of privacy from casual scanner listeners
Code 10-38 remains in use in many departments that have maintained the ten-code system, though officers are often trained to switch to plain language when communicating with other agencies.
The Importance of Code 10-38 in Officer Safety
Traffic stops, indicated by code 10-38, are among the most dangerous routine activities for police officers. According to FBI statistics, a significant percentage of officer assaults and fatalities occur during traffic stops.
When an officer calls in a 10-38, it serves several critical safety functions:
- It alerts dispatch to the officer’s location and activity
- It initiates the process of running license plate information
- It puts nearby officers on notice that a colleague is conducting a stop
- It creates a timestamp of when the interaction began
These safety aspects make the 10-38 call one of the most important communications an officer makes during their shift. Many departments have specific protocols that are triggered when a 10-38 is called, such as checking back with the officer if no update is received within a certain timeframe.
Conclusion
Police code 10-38, typically indicating a traffic stop, remains an important part of law enforcement communication in many jurisdictions despite the trend toward plain language. Its brevity and clarity make it valuable for officers needing to quickly communicate their status and location.
While the specific meaning may vary by location, and some departments have moved away from coded language entirely, understanding what 10-38 generally represents provides insight into police procedures and the evolution of law enforcement communication systems.
For civilians, recognizing this code when heard on a scanner or in media can provide context about police activities in their community. For officers, it represents one of many tools that help them perform their duties efficiently while maintaining situational awareness and safety protocols.
As policing continues to evolve with new technologies and practices, communication systems will likely continue to adapt as well, but the fundamental need to quickly and clearly indicate activities like traffic stops will remain essential to effective law enforcement.