What Is a 10-19 Police Code? 10-19 Police Code

The 10-19 police code meaning for the police forces is Return To Station Or Location.

The 10-19 police code is part of the standardized ten-codes used by law enforcement agencies across the United States. If you’re wondering, what is 10-19 police code, the answer is simple: it means “Return to station” or “Return to your location.” This code is commonly used during radio communications to instruct an officer to go back to their base or designated point.

The Meaning of the 10-19 Police Code

In plain terms, when an officer hears or uses the 10-19 code, they are being told to head back to their station or the original location they were dispatched from. It’s a quick, standardized way of saying, “Return to base,” without using long, detailed sentences over radio traffic. This helps reduce misunderstandings and keeps communication clear and professional, especially during busy or high-pressure situations.

History and Purpose of Police Ten Codes

To truly understand the 10-19 police code, it’s helpful to know a little bit about the history of police codes in general. The concept of ten-codes was introduced in 1937 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO). These codes were designed to provide concise, clear, and standardized communication among officers using two-way radios. Before ten-codes, radio communication could be lengthy and unclear, especially during emergencies.

Ten-codes are often referred to as APCO Ten Signals, and while some codes vary slightly by region or department, the 10-19 police code generally retains the same meaning across most jurisdictions: Return to station or location.

Why Is the 10-19 Police Code Still Important Today?

Despite the evolution of digital communication and GPS tracking, ten-codes like the 10-19 police code remain a vital part of law enforcement operations. They allow for efficient communication, reduce radio congestion, and offer a layer of confidentiality when speaking over public airwaves. Even in the modern era of police dispatch software and body cams, officers still rely on these time-tested codes to operate safely and effectively in the field.

What Is 10-19 Police Code?

The 10-19 police code is a standard law enforcement radio signal meaning “Return to station” or “Return to your designated location.” Understanding these ten-codes, including what the 10-19 police code means, is essential for anyone interested in police work, emergency response, or public safety communications. Whether you’re studying for a criminal justice exam or just curious about how police officers communicate, knowing the 10-19 code is a great place to start.

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All Police Codes – Your Ultimate Resource for U.S. Police Radio Codes

Welcome to All Police Codes, your most comprehensive and reliable online source for everything related to police codes and radio signals used by law enforcement agencies across the United States. Whether you’re a police radio enthusiast, student, journalist, first responder, or simply curious about how emergency services communicate, you’ve found the right place.

Our website is designed to help you learn, explore, and understand the meaning and usage of police codes, such as the 10-19 Police Code and many more. These shorthand radio signals are essential for efficient communication among police officers, dispatchers, and emergency services personnel nationwide. From coast to coast, these codes allow for quick, concise communication that can literally save lives.

What is the 10-19 Police Code?

The 10-19 Police Code typically means “Return to the station” or “En route to the station.” It’s one of the many ten-codes used by law enforcement officers to simplify complex messages during real-time radio communications. When you hear “10-19” on a police scanner or during a dispatch call, it usually indicates that the officer is heading back to the headquarters or precinct.

This is just one example—there are dozens of police radio codes, each with its own meaning, and we’ve compiled them all for you. With our easy-to-navigate guide, you can now discover and understand what these codes mean, why they are used, and how they impact real-world emergency responses.

Our Expertise in Police Codes and Radio Signals

At All Police Codes, we have spent years researching and compiling detailed information on police ten-codes, signal codes, and response protocols. Our dedicated team is passionate about emergency communication systems and the professionals who rely on them. We’ve created this free resource to help bridge the knowledge gap and offer valuable insight into the language of law enforcement.

From traffic stops to life-threatening emergencies, the use of these codes improves efficiency, speeds up emergency response times, and helps coordinate multiple units during critical situations. Understanding these codes can also provide civilians with a better grasp of how public safety operates in real time.

Why We Built This Free Resource

We created All Police Codes out of our admiration for the brave men and women in uniform who serve and protect our communities every day. Our goal is to share accurate, up-to-date, and engaging content that reflects the importance of law enforcement communication tools.

While all information on our site is provided completely free of charge, we do include advertisements to help cover the operational costs of maintaining and updating this growing resource.

A Brief History of Police Codes in the U.S.

The system of police ten-codes was originally developed between 1937 and 1940 to improve clarity and reduce the amount of speech required during radio transmissions. These codes were later expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO), which played a major role in standardizing communication among law enforcement.

Interestingly, the concept of brevity codes dates back even further. In June 1935, APCO first proposed Morse code-based brevity codes in The APCO Bulletin. These were initially modeled on U.S. Navy procedures, and though they were designed for Morse code communication, they laid the groundwork for the modern voice radio codes used by police today.

Commonly Used Police Codes

Some of the most frequently used ten-codes include:

10-4 – Acknowledged / Affirmative
10-7 – Out of Service
10-8 – In Service
10-20 – Location
10-42 – Officer’s End of Shift

These codes are not just jargon; they are vital tools for law enforcement operations, helping officers remain safe, alert, and coordinated on the job.

Stay Informed with All Police Codes

With the rise in interest around police scanners, true crime media, and public safety education, knowing these codes can give you a deeper understanding of law enforcement communication. Whether you’re tuning into a local police scanner or working on a crime-related project, our detailed police code guide will serve as an essential reference.

Bookmark All Police Codes today and dive deep into the world of police radio signals, ten-codes, and emergency communication protocols used every day across the United States.

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