What Is a 10-17 Police Code? 10-17 Police Code

The 10-17 police code meaning for the police forces is Pick Up Papers / En Route.

If you’ve ever listened to a police scanner or watched law enforcement in action on TV, you’ve probably heard officers using short numeric codes like “10-17.” But what is 10-17 police code exactly? Let’s break it down in detail.

10-17 Police Code Meaning

The 10-17 police code is a part of the APCO 10-codes system used by law enforcement agencies to ensure fast, clear, and standardized communication. Specifically, the 10-17 code means “Pick Up Papers” or “En Route.” Depending on the department or context, it can signify that an officer is either heading to pick up official documents or is currently en route to a specific location.

This code is especially useful for minimizing radio traffic and avoiding misunderstandings in high-pressure situations. Instead of saying a full sentence over the radio, officers can simply say “10-17,” and other personnel will understand the action being taken.

What Does “Pick Up Papers / En Route” Mean in Police Communication?

When a police officer uses the 10-17 code for “Pick Up Papers,” they may be instructed to retrieve important documents, warrants, evidence logs, or reports. It streamlines administrative tasks and helps departments manage logistics efficiently.

The “En Route” aspect of the code simply confirms that an officer is on the way to a designated location. For example, if a dispatcher says, “Unit 23, 10-17 to HQ,” it means the officer should go pick up papers or documents from headquarters.

Origin of the 10-17 Police Code

The use of 10-codes, including the 10-17 police code, dates back to 1937, when the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) developed a series of signals to standardize communication between police officers and dispatchers. The primary goal was to shorten radio transmissions, reduce misunderstandings, and improve officer safety.

What Is 10-17 Police Code?

10-17 Police Code Meaning: “Pick Up Papers / En Route”
Used for: Signaling that an officer is retrieving documents or heading to a location
Part of: The APCO 10-codes system developed in 1937
Purpose: Ensure clear, quick, and error-free communication between police officers and dispatchers

Whether you’re a law enforcement enthusiast, a journalist, or just curious about police lingo, understanding what a 10-17 police code means offers deeper insight into how departments maintain efficiency and clarity in daily operations.

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Your Ultimate Resource for Police Codes in the United States

Welcome to All Police Codes – your most reliable and complete online source for police codes and radio signal meanings used across law enforcement agencies in the United States. Whether you’re a curious citizen, a student, a journalist, or someone pursuing a career in criminal justice, our comprehensive database of U.S. police codes, including the widely used 10-17 police code, is designed to help you learn, explore, and understand the vital language of law enforcement communication.

Our team has dedicated countless hours over many years to studying, analyzing, and compiling accurate and up-to-date information about police radio codes and emergency signals. These codes play a crucial role in how police officers, firefighters, and other first responders communicate efficiently during emergencies, enabling faster response times and potentially saving lives.

What is the 10-17 Police Code?

The 10-17 code is one of many ten-codes used in police communication. Each ten-code has a specific meaning, allowing officers to quickly convey important information over the radio without using lengthy sentences. With the help of police code scanners, enthusiasts and professionals can listen in and decode these signals, such as the 10-17 code, in real time.

While meanings can vary slightly depending on the jurisdiction, 10-17 generally refers to “En route” or “Pick up paperwork”, depending on the police department’s protocol. Our platform provides you with context, examples, and variations of these codes as used across different states and counties.

A Rich History of Law Enforcement Communication

The history of police codes dates back to the late 1930s. Between 1937 and 1940, the first set of police ten-codes was developed to standardize communication. These codes were later expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO), one of the most influential bodies in public safety communication.

Interestingly, APCO first proposed a system of brevity codes in the June 1935 edition of The APCO Bulletin, inspired by Morse code procedures used by the U.S. Navy. Although these original codes were meant for Morse code transmission, they laid the foundation for today’s voice-based police radio codes.

Popular Police Codes You Should Know

Some of the most common and widely recognized police codes include:

10-4 – Message received / Acknowledged
10-7 – Out of service
10-8 – In service
10-20 – Location
10-42 – Ending tour of duty (often used during retirement announcements)

For instance, when an officer retires, they often sign off with a 10-7 (Out of Service) followed by a 10-42 (End of Duty), symbolizing the completion of their honorable service.

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Whether you’re learning what 10-17 police code means, curious about the origins of APCO radio codes, or just interested in how emergency services communicate, we invite you to explore our extensive police code database. Stay informed, stay connected, and gain a deeper appreciation for the structured communication system that helps save lives every single day.

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