What Does 10 20 Mean In Police Code?

What does 10 20 Mean in Police Code?

10 20 in Police Code meaning for the police force is Your Location.

The police code 10-20, often spoken as “ten-twenty,” is one of the most widely recognized signals used in law enforcement communication. In official police code terminology, 10-20 means “What is your location?” or simply “Your current location.” This code is typically used by police officers, dispatchers, and emergency response teams to quickly and discreetly request or confirm the geographic position of another officer or unit during active operations.

For example, if an officer radios in and asks, “What’s your 10-20?” they are inquiring about the other officer’s current whereabouts. The response could be a street name, address, or designated code zone depending on department protocol. Police codes like 10-20 are designed to streamline communication and ensure safety during fast-paced or high-stakes situations.

On this page, you’ll find the most accurate, free, and frequently updated information on the 10-20 police code meaning, including how it’s used in real-time police radio communication. Whether you’re a student of criminal justice, a law enforcement enthusiast, or just curious about what you heard on a police scanner, we break down the 10-codes used by cops across the United States.

The term 10-20 in Police Code is one of the most widely used radio communication signals by law enforcement professionals in the United States and internationally. It belongs to the standardized “10-code” system, which helps police officers and dispatchers transmit important information quickly and clearly. Specifically, 10-20 means “What is your location?” or simply “Location.” Officers use this code to ask for or confirm the position of another unit, whether during routine patrols or emergency response situations.

The 10-20 code is part of a broader set of law enforcement radio codes heard daily on police scanners, over two-way radios, and even in popular crime television series. Whether you’re monitoring public safety communications or watching a police drama, the use of this code is frequent and crucial for understanding what’s happening in real time.

In practice, 10-20 is rarely said as “ten twenty.” Instead, police officers and dispatchers often pronounce each digit separately—such as “one-zero-two-zero”—to ensure clarity over radio transmissions. This method reduces the risk of miscommunication, especially in high-pressure situations or when audio quality is compromised.

The development of police codes like 10-20 dates back to the late 1930s and early 1940s. These codes were created to streamline radio conversations and reduce the amount of speech needed during critical calls. Between 1937 and 1940, police departments began adopting this shorthand system to allow officers to quickly convey complex messages using brief numeric phrases.

The system was further standardized in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). APCO played a major role in expanding and formalizing the 10-code structure, making it easier for different agencies to communicate across jurisdictions. Although some departments have since moved toward plain-language communication, the 10-20 code remains widely recognized and used.

Understanding codes like 10-20 is valuable for anyone listening to police scanners, studying criminal justice, working in emergency services, or simply interested in law enforcement communications. These codes help police departments operate more efficiently, protect officer safety, and ensure quick responses in the field.

Police officers, detectives, and other members of law enforcement regularly rely on police code communication to maintain order, safety, and coordination in the field. One of the most essential and frequently used signals is 10-20 in Police Code, which means “What is your location?” This code is used during active operations to quickly request or confirm the exact position of an officer, vehicle, or unit. It allows dispatchers—the individuals responsible for assigning calls and coordinating response efforts—to keep track of personnel, ensure backup is sent to the correct place, and help manage emergency situations effectively.

Communication between dispatch and officers is critical during high-pressure moments, such as active crime scenes, traffic stops, or when locating a suspect. Using police codes like 10-20 helps eliminate confusion and speeds up response times, ultimately helping law enforcement preserve public peace, safety, and order in the community. These codes were developed to keep communication concise, efficient, and secure, especially when every second counts.

Police codes, including 10-20, are not only used between officers and dispatchers—they also serve as a standardized method of communication among other key parts of the law enforcement system. Officers use them to interact with fellow police units, detectives, corrections officers, local jails, and regional command centers. This shared language allows different branches of the criminal justice system to work together seamlessly, ensuring that everyone involved in an incident is informed and aligned.

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What does 10 20 Mean in Police Code?

The term 10-20 in Police Code is a widely recognized communication signal used by police officers, sheriffs, highway patrol units, and other law enforcement agencies across the United States and internationally. In police radio language, 10-20 means “Your Location.” It is used to request or confirm a person’s or unit’s current position during active duty or emergency response situations.

When officers are in the field, they rely heavily on quick, efficient, and reliable communication. Saying “What’s your 10-20?” is a concise way for dispatchers or fellow officers to ask for an officer’s location, whether it’s during a traffic stop, pursuit, patrol, or an unfolding incident. This code helps improve officer safety, ensure coordinated response times, and maintain situational awareness among teams in the field.

The use of 10-20 Police Code is part of a larger standardized communication system called the 10-codes, which law enforcement agencies have used since the late 1930s to streamline radio communication. These codes reduce the amount of speech needed during transmissions while improving clarity and efficiency in both routine and high-pressure situations.

If you’ve heard “10-20” mentioned on a police scanner, in a movie, or during a live police broadcast, now you know—it’s simply asking for someone’s current location. Whether you’re a law enforcement professional, a student of criminal justice, or someone curious about police radio language, understanding what 10-20 in Police Code means gives you insight into how officers communicate and operate under real-world conditions.

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