What Is a 10-7 Police Code? 10-7 Police Code

The 10-7 police code meaning for the police forces is Out Of Service (Completely).

The 10-7 police code is a widely used radio communication term in law enforcement, and its meaning is Out of Service (Completely). When a police officer uses the 10-7 Police Code, it typically signals that they are officially off-duty or unavailable for calls and assignments. It can also be used to mark the end of a shift, a change in status, or even in ceremonial contexts to honor fallen officers who are permanently “out of service.”

Understanding what is 10-7 police code helps civilians, enthusiasts, and anyone interested in police scanner activity or public safety communication to decode law enforcement radio chatter more effectively. The use of these short numeric codes streamlines conversations between dispatchers and officers, saving valuable time and reducing confusion, especially in high-pressure situations.

History and Use of the 10-7 Police Code

The 10-7 code is part of the broader system known as the APCO Ten Signals, first introduced in 1937 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). These codes were designed to simplify police radio communication and standardize messages across jurisdictions. Over the years, they became a universal part of law enforcement culture in the United States and beyond.

Unlike plain speech, the use of concise numeric codes like 10-7 ensures clarity in emergency scenarios. Officers don’t need to explain they are off-duty—they simply say “10-7,” and the message is instantly understood.

It’s important to note that while the basic meaning of the 10-7 police code is generally consistent across departments, some local agencies might assign additional context or use the code in unique ways based on regional protocol.

What Is ‘Out of Service (Completely)’? Meaning of Police Code 10-7

The phrase “Out of Service (Completely)” in law enforcement indicates that an officer is no longer available to respond to radio calls or perform duties. This might occur due to the end of a shift, personal emergencies, or in memorial contexts where a fallen officer is respectfully designated as 10-7.

So, when you hear or read about Police Code 10-7, remember: it’s not just technical jargon—it’s a crucial part of how emergency personnel stay connected, safe, and efficient in the field.

Why Learn About the 10-7 Police Code?

Knowing the answer to what is 10-7 Police Code offers valuable insight into police operations and the language used on police scanners, radios, and in dispatch centers. Whether you’re a first responder, researcher, journalist, hobbyist, or simply curious, understanding codes like the 10-7 police code enriches your knowledge of how law enforcement functions behind the scenes.

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Learn Everything About the 10-7 Police Code: Out of Service Explained

Welcome to All Police Codes – your trusted and complete source for understanding U.S. police radio codes, including the widely recognized 10-7 Police Code. Whether you’re a law enforcement enthusiast, a scanner hobbyist, or simply curious about what police codes mean, our comprehensive guide has been carefully built to help you explore and learn about every code used across the country, starting with the 10-7 code.

The 10-7 Police Code is one of the most frequently used codes in law enforcement communications. It signifies “Out of Service,” which typically means that a police officer is no longer available for calls, either temporarily or permanently. This code is commonly heard when an officer signs off duty, retires, or finishes a shift. For instance, an officer may radio in with “10-7” followed by “10-42” to indicate the official end of their tour of duty.

Why the 10-7 Code Matters in Police Communication

Police codes like 10-7 are part of the APCO Ten Signals, which were first introduced between 1937 and 1940 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). These codes were designed to simplify voice transmissions and make emergency communications faster, clearer, and less prone to misinterpretation. Before voice radio became common, APCO had already proposed similar brevity codes in Morse format, as first documented in The APCO Bulletin in June 1935.

The 10-7 Police Code remains a crucial part of radio protocol used by emergency forces every day. You can even listen in on how this code is used in real-time via a police code scanner. Whether it’s part of a daily shift update or a formal sign-off, the 10-7 code plays an important role in the operational structure of law enforcement.

Why Trust Our Police Code Database?

At All Police Codes, we’ve spent years researching, documenting, and organizing the meanings behind every ten-code used across U.S. police departments. Our team is passionate about making this information accessible to everyone – from curious citizens to emergency service supporters. The 10-7 Police Code is just one of many entries available on our website, and it’s all completely free.

We offer this resource as a public service to help you better understand how emergency responders communicate. To support the upkeep of our platform and cover operational costs, we display ads throughout the site – but access to our police code content, including information about the 10-7 code, is and always will be free.

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