What Is a 10-20 Police Code? 10-20 Police Code

The 10-20 police code meaning for the police forces is Your Location.

If you’ve ever listened to police radio or seen law enforcement portrayed in movies and TV shows, you’ve probably heard officers use terms like “10-20.” So, what is 10-20 police code? The 10-20 police code is a short, standardized way for officers to communicate one specific message: “What is your location?” or “My location is…”

Understanding the 10-20 Police Code

The 10-20 police code is part of a larger system known as the “ten-codes” or “10-codes.” These codes were originally developed in 1937 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) to streamline communication between law enforcement officers and dispatchers. This system was designed to reduce radio traffic and prevent misunderstandings during high-pressure situations.

The police code 10-20 specifically means:

“What is your location?”
Or used in response: “My location is…”

For example, an officer may say, “What’s your 10-20?” when trying to find out where another officer is located. In turn, the officer might respond, “My 10-20 is Main and 5th,” to indicate their current position.

How the 10-20 Code Fits into Police Communication

Police communication needs to be fast, clear, and error-free. That’s why 10-codes like 10-20 are essential tools in the field. These brief numeric codes allow for quick and unambiguous messages over two-way radios, especially when time is critical.

Why the 10-20 Police Code Is Still Relevant Today

Even though some police departments have transitioned to plain language communication, especially during inter-agency operations or emergencies, many still use traditional 10-codes daily. The 10-20 code remains one of the most recognized and widely used codes in American law enforcement lingo.

Not just limited to police use, the 10-20 code has also made its way into CB radio slang, trucking culture, and even popular media. Whether it’s a trucker reporting their 10-20 over the CB radio or a character in a movie asking for someone’s 10-20, the phrase has become deeply embedded in communication shorthand.

What Is 10-20 Police Code?
The 10-20 police code means “What is your location?” It is a crucial part of the ten-code system developed for clear and efficient police communication. Despite changes in modern communication technology, 10-codes like 10-20 remain relevant and widely understood among law enforcement professionals.

Main Police Codes
Alphabet For Police
California Penal Codes
Emergency Response Codes
Police 10 Codes
Police 11 Codes
Police Abbreviations
Police Nicknames
Police Radio Codes
Police Scanner Codes
Texas Penal Codes

Your Ultimate Guide to Police Codes and Signals in the United States

Welcome to All Police Codes – your #1 online resource for comprehensive, easy-to-understand information about police radio codes, 10-codes, and law enforcement signals used across the United States. Whether you’re a citizen curious about what “10-20” means on a police scanner or someone studying to become a first responder, our website is built for you.

We’ve created a complete and constantly updated guide to Police 10 Codes and Police Signals used by law enforcement agencies, dispatchers, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) nationwide. Our mission is to make it simple for anyone to learn what common codes like 10-4 (Acknowledgement), 10-20 (Location), or 10-7 (Out of service) mean and how they’re used in real-life emergency communications.

What Are Police Codes?

Police codes—especially 10-codes—are brevity codes used by officers to communicate efficiently and clearly over radio transmissions. These codes originated between 1937 and 1940 and were officially expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). They were designed to speed up communication and reduce ambiguity during high-pressure situations.

Initially influenced by U.S. Navy Morse code procedures, APCO proposed these codes to improve radio communications for public safety personnel. Over the decades, they have become standard in many police departments and emergency services.

Why Do Police Use 10 Codes?

Using short numerical codes over radio helps officers and dispatchers communicate faster, especially during emergencies when seconds count. For example:

10-20 – “What’s your location?”
10-7 – “Out of service”
10-42 – “Ending tour of duty” (often used during retirement ceremonies)

These codes reduce the chance of miscommunication and provide a discreet way to convey sensitive information.

Learn the 10-20 Police Code and More

The 10-20 police code, meaning “location,” is one of the most commonly used signals in law enforcement communication. When you hear an officer say “What’s your 10-20?”, they’re asking for your current position. This phrase has even made its way into everyday slang and CB (citizens band) radio language.

Our website makes it easy for you to understand not just the 10-20 police code, but dozens of others that are used by police departments and emergency services across the U.S. You can even use a police scanner to listen in on how these codes are used in real-time by local authorities.

Dedicated to Education and Public Awareness

At All Police Codes, we are passionate about supporting public awareness and education around emergency communication. Our team has spent years researching and compiling the most accurate and up-to-date information on police 10-codes, signals, and tactical communication procedures. We’re here to help everyone—civilians, students, security professionals, or aspiring officers—understand how our emergency responders communicate during critical situations.

Free, Reliable Information—Powered by Passion

All the information on our site is 100% free to access. We do this out of a deep appreciation for the men and women in law enforcement, emergency services, and public safety roles. To support the ongoing operation and maintenance of this website, we display relevant advertisements to cover hosting and research costs.

Discover more about Police Codes