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

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

If you’ve ever wondered what is 10-7b Police Code, you’re in the right place. The 10-7b Police Code is a specific shorthand communication used by law enforcement officers to indicate “Out of Service (Personal)”. In other words, when an officer needs to step away from duty for personal reasons, they use the 10-7b police code to notify dispatchers and colleagues without needing to go into detailed explanations.

Understanding the 10-7b Police Code

The 10-7b police code falls under a wider system of APCO 10-codes, originally developed in the late 1930s to early 1940s to streamline radio communication between police officers and dispatch units. The “10-7” family of codes is commonly associated with out-of-service statuses, and the 10-7b variation specifically signifies that the officer is Out of Service for Personal reasons, distinguishing it from other types of unavailability.

By using concise codes like 10-7b, emergency communication becomes more efficient, minimizing the risk of misunderstandings and ensuring that radio channels remain clear and to the point. Instead of saying “I’m stepping away for a personal matter,” officers can quickly say “10-7b,” saving time in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.

Why the 10-7b Code Matters

Efficient and accurate communication is essential in emergency response operations. The use of short radio signals such as the 10-7b police code eliminates ambiguity, reduces radio traffic, and enhances operational clarity. This particular code helps dispatchers keep track of officer availability, so they know not to assign new calls to an officer who has temporarily gone Out of Service (Personal).

What Is Out of Service (Personal)? Police Code for Out of Service (Personal)

10-7b is the official police code for Out of Service (Personal). It’s part of the broader set of ten-codes designed for fast, reliable communication across police departments. When officers need a moment away for personal reasons, the 10-7b Police Code gets the message across instantly.

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

What Is 10-7b Police Code?

The 10-7b police code stands for “Out of Service (Personal)” and is used by law enforcement officers to indicate that they are temporarily unavailable due to personal reasons. Whether it’s a restroom break, lunch, or another personal matter, this short and clear code lets dispatchers know the officer is not on active duty without requiring lengthy explanation over the radio. It’s a practical, efficient tool that helps reduce confusion and streamline communication between officers and dispatch.

Why Do Police Use the 10-7b Code?

Using police codes like 10-7b improves clarity, reduces miscommunication, and speeds up operations during real-time situations. Instead of describing the situation in detail, officers can transmit a short, universally understood code. It’s part of the broader APCO Ten-Code system, which was specifically developed to ensure that all police departments could maintain standard, efficient radio communication.

History and Development of the Police Code System

The use of police radio codes started between 1937 and 1940, developed by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). These 10-codes became widely adopted to organize and simplify radio traffic for emergency responders.

Before voice radio codes became common, APCO actually began publishing Morse code brevity signals as early as 1935, inspired by communication procedures used by the U.S. Navy. Over time, those Morse-based signals evolved into voice-based numeric codes, which laid the foundation for what we now know as APCO 10-codes.

Listen to 10-7b in Action

If you’re interested in hearing how these codes are used in real-world situations, you can tune into police code scanners or apps that allow live streaming of radio traffic from local emergency services. These real-time broadcasts are a great way to experience the practical use of codes like 10-7b and gain insight into the structured language of law enforcement communication.

Why We Built This Police Code Guide

At All Police Codes, we’ve spent years researching, compiling, and maintaining this free online database of police codes, including the 10-7b Police Code and hundreds of others used throughout the U.S. Our mission is to educate and support everyone from law enforcement professionals and dispatchers to curious civilians and hobbyist scanner listeners.

Our site is 100% free to use. We’ve placed some advertising throughout the pages to help cover the operational costs — like server fees, updates, and research time — but the information itself is completely open and accessible to all.

Understanding the Meaning of 10-7b Police Code

Understanding the meaning of codes like 10-7b (Out of Service – Personal) helps deepen your awareness of how police departments operate behind the scenes. These brief numeric signals play a big role in keeping law enforcement communication clean, fast, and precise — especially during high-pressure or emergency situations.

Whether you’re a student, enthusiast, or someone preparing for a law enforcement career, exploring police codes is a fascinating and worthwhile journey — and we’re here to guide you through it, one signal at a time.

Discover more about Police Codes