What Is a 10-25 Police Code? 10-25 Police Code

The 10-25 police code meaning for the police forces is Report To [Person] or Do You Have Contact With [Person].

If you’ve ever listened to a police scanner or watched law enforcement in action, you may have come across the term 10-25. So, what is 10-25 police code? The 10-25 police code is a part of the ten-code system used by police officers and emergency responders for efficient radio communication. Specifically, police code 10-25 means “Report to [person]” or “Do you have contact with [person]?” This code is typically used when one officer needs another to either report to a supervisor or confirm communication with someone.

The Purpose of the 10-25 Police Code

The 10-25 police code serves an important role in law enforcement communications. Police radio codes like 10-25 are used to:

Simplify and shorten radio transmissions
Avoid misunderstandings or misspoken words
Maintain discretion and security over open channels
Enhance clarity and professionalism in urgent situations

Rather than using long or potentially confusing phrases such as “Can you report to Officer Smith?” or “Have you spoken to the detective?”, officers can quickly use 10-25 to streamline the conversation.

Understanding “Report to [Person]” or “Do You Have Contact With [Person]?”

When an officer uses 10-25, they are either being instructed to report to a specific person (such as a supervisor or commanding officer), or they are being asked if they have already made contact with someone (such as a witness, suspect, or another officer). It’s a versatile code that plays a key role in coordinating team efforts in the field.

For example:

An officer might hear over the radio: “Unit 21, 10-25 with Sergeant Davis.”
This would mean: “Unit 21, report to Sergeant Davis.”

Or:

“Unit 12, 10-25 on the suspect?”
Which translates to: “Unit 12, have you made contact with the suspect?”

Why Police Use Codes Like 10-25

Using codes like the 10-25 police code isn’t just about brevity—it’s also about reducing the chances of miscommunication in high-stress or noisy environments. These codes are especially helpful during coordinated responses, pursuits, or emergency situations where every second counts.

Police departments across the country may use slightly different variations of ten-codes, but 10-25 generally retains a consistent meaning related to reporting or making contact with a specific person.

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Welcome to the Ultimate Police Code Lookup Resource – Explore All U.S. Police Codes Including the 10-25 Police Code

Welcome to our comprehensive Police Codes directory – your go-to source for everything related to U.S. Police Codes and Signals. Whether you’re a civilian curious about law enforcement communication or a professional looking to stay informed, you’ve come to the right place. On this website, we’ve compiled and organized every police code used across the United States, including the commonly searched 10-25 Police Code, so you can quickly find, understand, and learn the meaning behind each law enforcement signal.

Our goal is simple: to make police communication codes more accessible to the general public. The world of police radio signals and 10-codes can often seem complex, but with our user-friendly lookup tools and detailed explanations, anyone can explore this fascinating communication system used by emergency responders every single day.

What is the 10-25 Police Code?

The 10-25 police code is one of many essential communication tools used by law enforcement officers to relay messages clearly and quickly over police radios. Police codes like 10-25 allow for concise, standardized communication, especially during emergencies when every second counts. You can even listen to live police code transmissions, including the 10-25 code, using a police scanner or police scanner app. These tools offer real-time insight into law enforcement activities in your area.

Explore the Full List of Police 10-Codes and Signals

While 10-25 is just one of the many codes in use, law enforcement agencies across the United States use dozens of unique police codes daily. Each one has a specific meaning and is part of a structured communication system known as “ten-codes” or “10-signals.” These signals help officers communicate efficiently with dispatchers and fellow officers without lengthy explanations over the radio.

Our website is a centralized resource where you can browse the complete list of police codes, categorized by state and law enforcement agency. From codes like 10-4 (Acknowledgement) to 10-7 (Out of Service) and 10-42 (End of Tour of Duty), we provide definitions, usage examples, and historical context for each code.

The History and Origin of Police Radio Codes

Police codes have a rich history dating back to the late 1930s. Between 1937 and 1940, the need for a standardized radio communication method became evident as radio technology became more prevalent in police work. The system of ten-codes was later expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO), a leading organization in public safety communications.

Interestingly, APCO first introduced the concept of brevity codes inspired by U.S. Navy communication systems. In June 1935, APCO’s official bulletin proposed Morse code brevity codes, which were later adapted into voice-based procedures used by police departments nationwide. Today, these codes are an integral part of emergency communication systems, and though some departments have transitioned to plain language, ten-codes are still widely recognized and used.

Why We Built This Police Code Resource

We are passionate about emergency services and the dedicated professionals who serve and protect our communities. That’s why we’ve created this free police code database – as a tribute to law enforcement and a valuable learning tool for anyone interested in public safety.

We’ve spent years researching police signals and codes used by law enforcement agencies across the country. This knowledge is now available to you, for free, in an easy-to-navigate format. Whether you’re preparing for a career in law enforcement, studying for an exam, or simply curious, we’re here to help you explore this vital part of emergency communication.

To help support our efforts and keep this resource running, we do include advertising on the website. This allows us to cover hosting and operational costs while keeping all the information freely accessible to you.

Stay Connected with Law Enforcement Communication

If you’re interested in real-time police communication, consider investing in a police scanner. These devices allow you to listen to active radio channels where police officers use codes like 10-25 and others. It’s a fascinating way to understand how law enforcement operates on a day-to-day basis and stay informed about what’s happening in your area.

Bookmark our site and explore the full list of police codes, including detailed information on the 10-25 police code and many more. Whether you’re a student, journalist, law enforcement enthusiast, or concerned citizen, this site is your one-stop destination for all things related to police codes in the USA.

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