What Is a 10-3 Police Code? 10-3 Police Code

The 10-3 police code meaning for the police forces is Stop Transmitting.

The 10-3 police code is one of the many “ten-codes” used in law enforcement to simplify and streamline radio communication. So, what is 10-3 police code? The official meaning of the 10-3 police code is “Stop Transmitting.”

In practical terms, when an officer says “10-3” over the radio, they are instructing others to stop broadcasting messages on that channel. This can be due to an urgent situation that requires radio silence, a high-priority transmission about to come through, or simply to reduce unnecessary chatter so important information can be shared clearly.

The Purpose of Police Codes Like 10-3

Police radio codes like the 10-3 police code exist to enhance the efficiency, clarity, and speed of communication among officers. Rather than speaking long sentences or descriptions, officers use short numeric codes such as 10-3 to convey instructions quickly and avoid miscommunication.

By saying “10-3”, an officer instantly conveys the message “Stop Transmitting”, which might otherwise take several seconds to explain — a critical time saver during emergencies. These codes are especially important during coordinated operations, high-stress incidents, or when multiple units are sharing the same communication channel.

Stop Transmitting – What It Means in Law Enforcement Communication

So, what is Stop Transmitting in the context of police radio communication? It’s an urgent instruction used to immediately silence all non-essential radio traffic. When an officer issues a 10-3 command, it signals everyone on the channel to hold off on communication until further notice.

For example:

During an active crime scene, a commanding officer might use 10-3 to ensure no distractions interfere with critical updates.
If dispatch needs to relay sensitive or time-sensitive information, they might issue a 10-3 to keep the line clear.

Why Knowing the 10-3 Police Code Matters

Understanding the 10-3 police code and other radio signals helps both aspiring law enforcement professionals and the general public gain insights into how officers maintain effective communication in the field. Whether you’re studying criminal justice, writing crime fiction, or simply curious, learning the meanings behind police codes like 10-3 reveals the precision behind modern policing.

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

Welcome to the Ultimate Police Codes Reference – Explore the Meaning of 10-3 Police Code and More

Welcome to our comprehensive Police Codes Lookup resource, your one-stop destination for learning about police radio codes used across the United States. Whether you’re curious about the 10-3 Police Code or exploring the full list of 10-codes, you’re in the right place. We’ve built this site with care and passion to help you understand how law enforcement officers communicate quickly and efficiently in the line of duty.

Discover the Meaning of Police Codes Like 10-3 and Beyond

Police codes, including the commonly used 10-3 Police Code, play a vital role in public safety communication. The 10-3 code specifically means “Stop Transmitting,” a crucial instruction during emergency situations to keep radio channels clear for high-priority messages. But 10-3 is just one of many standardized signals used daily by law enforcement, first responders, and dispatchers to maintain order and safety.

Our team has spent years researching, compiling, and verifying the most accurate and up-to-date information about police radio codes, 10-codes, and police scanner frequencies used nationwide. This website was created to serve as an educational hub for students, researchers, aspiring police officers, and anyone interested in how emergency communication works in real-time.

Why Are Police Codes Important?

Police radio codes, also known as ten-codes, were originally developed between 1937 and 1940 and later expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). These codes were designed to streamline voice communication and reduce confusion during high-pressure situations.

In fact, police codes originated from earlier Morse code brevity signals adapted by APCO in the 1930s. These codes made communication faster and more concise, replacing longer voice messages with short, universally understood signals.

Today, codes like 10-4 (Acknowledged), 10-7 (Out of Service), 10-42 (End of Watch), and 10-20 (Location) are widely recognized and used not only by law enforcement but also in movies, TV shows, and police scanners.

Listen to 10-3 and Other Police Codes in Action

If you’re interested in hearing real-time police communications, you can listen to the 10-3 Police Code and many others using a police scanner. These devices allow you to monitor law enforcement radio traffic and gain insight into how officers use codes during calls, pursuits, and emergency responses.

Many scanner apps and websites are available where you can listen live to police radio channels in your area. It’s a fascinating way to better understand how police operate and respond to various situations.

Our Mission – Free and Reliable Police Code Information

All the information on this website is provided 100% free to the public. We created this platform because we’re passionate about police codes and deeply respect the law enforcement officers, EMTs, and firefighters who serve and protect our communities.

To help offset our operational costs and keep this site running, we include advertisements. Your support by visiting and sharing our site allows us to continue updating and improving our content.

Explore More Police Codes

Don’t stop at 10-3. We encourage you to dive deeper and explore our complete list of police codes, signals, and phonetic alphabets used in emergency communication. Understanding these codes can enhance your knowledge of public safety protocols and even help you better interpret news reports or scanner audio.

Discover more about Police Codes