What Is a 10-37 Police Code? 10-37 Police Code

The 10-37 police code meaning for the police forces is Identify Yourself or Suspicious Vehicle.

If you’ve ever listened to a police scanner or watched crime shows, you may have come across the term 10-37 police code. But what exactly does it mean? What is 10-37 police code, and why is it used by law enforcement professionals across the country?

What Does the 10-37 Police Code Mean?

The 10-37 police code is a part of the ten-codes used in law enforcement communication. Specifically, police code 10-37 means “Identify Yourself” or refers to a “Suspicious Vehicle.” Officers use this code when they encounter a person or vehicle that appears suspicious or when they need someone to provide identification.

For example, if a police officer sees a vehicle parked in an unusual place at a strange hour, they might radio in a 10-37. This lets dispatch or other officers know that they’re dealing with a potentially suspicious vehicle or person whose identity needs to be verified.

Why Do Police Use the 10-37 Code?

Using standardized radio codes like 10-37 helps law enforcement communicate more efficiently and discreetly, especially in high-pressure or sensitive situations. Instead of saying, “There is a suspicious vehicle, and I need the driver to identify themselves,” officers simply say “10-37.”

This short and precise language reduces the chances of miscommunication, especially during fast-moving incidents. It also prevents outsiders from easily understanding the details of police operations, which helps ensure officer safety and operational security.

The Importance of Ten-Codes in Law Enforcement

The 10-code system, originally developed in the 1930s and 1940s, was designed to streamline police communication over radios when audio quality was limited. Today, although some departments have transitioned to plain language protocols, many still use 10-codes like 10-37 as part of their daily operations.

Using codes like the 10-37 police code allows officers to:

Save time during communications
Maintain clarity in noisy or chaotic environments
Provide a level of confidentiality over public airwaves
Promote consistency across different jurisdictions

What Is 10-37 Police Code?

The 10-37 police code is used to signal either “Identify Yourself” or “Suspicious Vehicle” in law enforcement communication. It’s a vital shorthand that enhances the clarity, speed, and security of radio transmissions between officers and dispatchers.

Whether you’re a civilian curious about police lingo, a writer researching for a crime novel, or someone preparing for a role in public safety, understanding what police code 10-37 means can offer valuable insight into how law enforcement operates in the field.

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Welcome to the Ultimate Police Codes Lookup Resource – Your Guide to the 10-37 Police Code and More

Welcome to our comprehensive Police Codes lookup website – your trusted resource for learning everything about police radio codes, including the 10-37 Police Code and many others used across the United States. Whether you’re a curious citizen, a hobbyist using a police scanner, or someone preparing for a career in law enforcement, you’ve come to the right place to explore, understand, and decode the essential communication system used by emergency personnel.

Our website brings together an extensive collection of police codes, signals, and meanings from jurisdictions throughout the U.S., carefully researched and curated to give you accurate and up-to-date information.

What is the 10-37 Police Code?

The 10-37 police code is one of many numeric codes used by police departments to convey information quickly and efficiently over the radio. The specific meaning of 10-37 can vary by region or department, but in many areas, it typically means “Suspicious Vehicle”. Understanding this code, along with others, helps civilians and enthusiasts decode what they hear on police scanners or in public safety reports.

To listen to live usage of 10-37 and other police codes, you can use a police scanner app or device that lets you tune into emergency dispatch frequencies in real-time.

Why Are Police Codes Important?

Police codes were originally developed to create a standard, fast, and discreet way for officers to communicate important information over radios. They eliminate confusion and reduce airtime, allowing emergency response teams to operate more efficiently.

These 10-codes, such as 10-4 (Acknowledged) or 10-7 (Out of Service), are widely recognized. Another commonly known code is 10-42, used when an officer ends their tour of duty – a deeply symbolic code often associated with retirement or line-of-duty memorials.

A Brief History of Police Radio Codes

The history of police codes dates back to the late 1930s. Between 1937 and 1940, law enforcement agencies began implementing radio communication codes to streamline operations. In 1974, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) expanded and formalized the system.

Interestingly, the concept of brevity codes has military roots. In June 1935, APCO proposed a set of Morse code brevity symbols, influenced by U.S. Navy communication standards. While these were initially designed for Morse code transmissions, they laid the foundation for voice-based 10-codes that followed.

Why We Built This Police Code Database

We’ve been researching and cataloging police codes and emergency signals for years out of passion and respect for the men and women who serve in law enforcement and emergency services. Our goal is to create a free, accessible, and reliable online database of U.S. police codes to educate and inform the public.

Our website is funded through minimal advertising, which helps us cover operational costs while keeping all content available to you at no charge. We believe that knowledge should be free – especially when it promotes transparency, safety, and civic engagement.

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