What Is a 10-87 Police Code? 10-87 Police Code

The 10-87 police code meaning for the police forces is Give Call Letters Of Your Station.

The 10-87 police code is an essential part of the standardized 10-code system used by law enforcement and emergency services across the United States. Specifically, the meaning of the 10-87 Police Code is “Give Call Letters of Your Station.” This code is typically used in radio communication when an officer or dispatcher needs to identify the specific call sign or radio identification of a station.

Law enforcement agencies rely heavily on shortcodes like the 10-87 police code to streamline communication and avoid confusion during fast-paced or high-stress situations. Instead of using long phrases that can be misheard or misunderstood over a radio transmission, officers use precise numeric codes to transmit vital information quickly and clearly.

Understanding the Purpose of 10-87 Police Code: Give Call Letters of Your Station

The 10-87 code, which means “Give Call Letters of Your Station,” is used to request the unique identification call letters assigned to a particular police station, communications center, or dispatch point. These call letters help verify the location, authority, or jurisdiction from which a radio transmission is being made.

This code is especially important in multi-agency operations or in scenarios where different departments, precincts, or emergency teams are operating in overlapping areas. By using 10-87, officers and dispatchers can confirm exactly which station is communicating, helping to maintain clarity and accountability during operations.

Why Do Police Use Codes Like 10-87?

Police codes such as 10-87 originated from the APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials) Ten Signals, which were developed in 1937. The idea was to create a universal system of shorthand radio codes that improved communication speed, efficiency, and accuracy—especially in critical moments when every second counts.

The 10-87 police code, like others in the ten-series, removes ambiguity and allows officers to communicate complex instructions using as few words as possible. This is vital in the field where environmental noise, stress, or technical limitations may impact verbal exchanges.

10-87 Police Code = Give Call Letters of Your Station

What is 10-87 Police Code? The 10-87 Police Code means “Give Call Letters of Your Station.” It’s used to request the unique identification of the transmitting station during police communications. Whether you’re studying police scanner codes, training in law enforcement, or simply curious about emergency radio signals, understanding codes like 10-87 helps shed light on how officers stay coordinated and efficient in the field.

If you’re interested in more police radio codes, their meanings, and how they are used by emergency services, be sure to check out our full guide to police codes in the USA.

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What Is 10-87 Police Code?

The 10-87 police code means “Give Call Letters of Your Station.” It’s used by law enforcement when dispatchers or officers need to request the identifying letters or call sign of a unit’s radio station. This code improves clarity and helps avoid miscommunication during radio transmissions.

Instead of spelling out long identifiers, officers can use 10-87 to respond quickly and precisely. It keeps communication efficient and streamlined—especially in high-stress or emergency situations.

Purpose of the 10-87 Police Code

The 10-87 code is one of many “10-codes” used by police departments across the U.S. These short numeric codes make communication faster, reduce errors, and provide a universal system officers and dispatchers can rely on.

Using the 10-87 police code ensures messages are understood quickly without the need to repeat or clarify long phrases. It’s an essential part of modern public safety communication.

History of the 10-87 Code and Ten-Codes

Police codes like 10-87 were introduced between 1937 and 1940 by APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International). They became widely adopted to simplify law enforcement radio communication.

The idea of brevity codes originated earlier, in 1935, with APCO proposing Morse-based signals modeled after U.S. Navy procedures. These evolved into today’s voice-transmitted police 10-codes still used nationwide.

Using 10-87 with a Police Scanner

You can hear the 10-87 police code and other codes in real-time by tuning into a police scanner. These radio devices allow you to listen to local police communication and understand how officers and dispatchers interact during real-world events.

10-87 is just one of many codes you might hear while monitoring police scanners. Each code helps law enforcement stay organized, efficient, and responsive.

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At All Police Codes, we’ve built a complete lookup guide for police codes in the U.S., including 10-87. All information is available for free to help you learn more about the language of law enforcement radio.

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