What Is a 10-84 Police Code? 10-84 Police Code

The 10-84 police code meaning for the police forces is Advise Eta.

If you’ve ever listened to a police scanner or watched a crime drama, you might have heard the phrase “10-84” tossed around. but what does it actually mean? what is 10-84 Police Code? The 10-84 police code stands for “Advise ETA,” which is short for Estimated Time of Arrival. When a dispatcher or another officer asks for a 10-84, they’re requesting a status update — specifically, when the responding unit expects to arrive at the scene.

10-84 Police Code is part of the broader APCO 10-code system that was introduced in 1937 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International. These codes were created to make communication faster, clearer, and more standardized among law enforcement officers across various departments and states. Since radio bandwidth was limited back then, short codes like 10-84 helped officers transmit important messages quickly without lengthy explanations.

The 10-84 code is typically used during incidents where timing is critical — such as active emergencies, traffic stops, or when backup is requested. For instance, if an officer is en route to a scene and dispatch needs to know when they’ll arrive, they may radio, “Unit 12, 10-84?” and the officer will reply with their ETA. This allows dispatch to coordinate resources efficiently and ensure timely responses to unfolding events.

What Is Advise ETA? Understanding the Police Code for Estimated Time of Arrival

Advise ETA is the operational meaning behind the 10-84 Police Code. It’s essentially a request to communicate how long it will take for an officer or emergency unit to reach a given location. Accurate ETAs are essential for incident planning, coordination with additional units, and maintaining situational awareness in the field.

What is 10-84 Police Code? It’s a simple yet powerful communication tool used by law enforcement to keep response teams informed and operations flowing smoothly. Whether you’re a curious citizen, a scanner hobbyist, or researching police terminology, understanding the meaning of 10-84 Police Code – Advise ETA helps decode the critical language behind the badge.

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Introduction to the 10-84 Police Code

If you’re looking to understand the 10-84 Police Code, you’re in the right place. This website is your complete and trusted resource for exploring police communication codes used across the United States. We’ve created this in-depth police code reference to help you easily find definitions, meanings, and background information on signals like 10-84, as well as dozens of other codes still used by law enforcement agencies today.

What Does 10-84 Police Code Mean?

The 10-84 Police Code stands for “Advise ETA”, which means the officer is being asked to report their Estimated Time of Arrival. This is commonly used when dispatch needs to know when a unit will arrive at a scene, location, or backup point. It’s an important piece of communication that helps coordinate efforts during emergency response situations and ensures a smooth and timely operation.

Why Police Codes Matter in Law Enforcement

Police codes, including the 10-84 code, are part of a communication system known as the APCO Ten Signals, which were originally developed between 1937 and 1940 and officially expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). These short, standardized radio codes allow officers to communicate more efficiently and avoid long, confusing messages over radio channels. Codes like 10-7 (Out of Service) and 10-42 (Ending Tour of Duty) are also part of this essential system.

Police Code History and Evolution

The history of police codes dates back to 1935, when APCO first proposed Morse code brevity codes in The APCO Bulletin. These codes were modeled after the U.S. Navy’s communication systems and later adapted for voice-based radio transmissions. Though some police departments now lean toward using plain language, many still actively use Ten Codes like 10-84, especially in fast-moving or tactical situations.

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