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

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

If you’ve ever listened to police radio chatter and wondered, what is 10-7c Police Code, you’re in the right place. The 10-7c Police Code is an official shorthand used by law enforcement agencies in the United States to communicate quickly and clearly. Specifically, the 10-7c police code means Out of Service (Court). This indicates that an officer is currently unavailable for calls or dispatches because they are attending a court proceeding.

The use of 10 codes—also known as ten signals—was originally developed between 1937 and 1940 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). These codes were designed to streamline police communication by replacing long sentences with short, easily recognizable codes. The system was later updated and expanded in 1974 to improve efficiency across more jurisdictions.

What Does “Out of Service (Court)” Mean? Understanding the 10-7c Police Code

The term Out of Service (Court) is used when a law enforcement officer is not on patrol or available for regular duty because they are obligated to attend court. This could involve testifying in a case, handling legal documentation, or fulfilling any other judicial responsibilities. When this happens, the officer communicates the 10-7c police code over the radio to notify dispatch and other units of their temporary unavailability.

Why Police Codes Like 10-7c Matter

Using shorthand like the 10-7c police code eliminates confusion, speeds up communication, and ensures all officers and dispatchers are on the same page—especially in high-stress, time-sensitive situations. These codes prevent misinterpretation and keep radio traffic short and efficient.

So, next time you’re scanning through a police radio feed or reading about law enforcement codes, you’ll know exactly what the 10-7c police code means and why it’s so vital to effective police operations.

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What Is the 10-7c Police Code?

The 10-7c Police Code is a specific police radio code that means “Out of Service (Court).” This code is used by officers to indicate they are temporarily unavailable for duty due to attending court proceedings. It is a variation of the general 10-7 code, which signals an officer is out of service.

Police departments use codes like 10-7c to keep radio communication efficient, avoiding lengthy explanations and ensuring clarity in high-pressure situations.

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The History Behind the 10-7c Police Code

The use of police ten-codes began between 1937 and 1940, developed by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). In 1974, APCO expanded these codes to meet the growing demands of public safety communication.

Interestingly, the concept of code-based messaging predates even the ten-codes. Back in 1935, APCO published Morse code brevity signals inspired by U.S. Navy procedures. Though originally designed for Morse transmissions, these laid the groundwork for modern voice radio codes.

How 10-7c Is Used in Police Radio Communication

Police officers frequently use the 10-7c Police Code to notify dispatchers they are out of service due to court duties. It’s a specialized version of the broader 10-7 code and complements similar codes like:

10-7 – Out of Service (General)
10-7b – Out of Service (Personal)

For example, when an officer finishes their shift, they might radio in 10-7 followed by 10-42, which means End of Tour of Duty. These concise codes ensure dispatchers know an officer’s exact status without needing further clarification.

You can listen to real-world examples of these codes in action by using a police scanner, which broadcasts live radio traffic from law enforcement channels.

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The 10-7c Police Code is just one of many police ten-codes used daily across the U.S. Law enforcement agencies rely on these codes to speed up communication, improve accuracy, and ensure effective operations in the field.

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