What Is a 10-90 Police Code? 10-90 Police Code

The 10-90 police code meaning for the police forces is Alarm Going Off / Bank Alarm.

If you’re wondering what is 10-90 police code, you’re not alone. The 10-90 police code is a standard part of the APCO Ten Signals used by law enforcement across various regions in the United States. Specifically, 10-90 is used to signal “Alarm Going Off” or “Bank Alarm”, typically indicating that an alarm system—often tied to a bank or financial institution—has been triggered and requires immediate police attention.

The purpose of using a code like 10-90 instead of stating the full scenario over radio communications is to streamline and secure police messaging. It enables officers to communicate critical situations clearly, quickly, and without revealing sensitive details to anyone potentially listening in on public radio frequencies.

Why the 10-90 Police Code Matters

The 10-90 police code is essential in scenarios involving potential break-ins, burglaries, or suspicious activity linked to an alarm. Whether it’s a bank alarm going off or a triggered security system at a commercial site, dispatchers and responding officers can instantly understand the urgency of the call with just two numbers: 10-90. Time is everything in these scenarios, and codes like 10-90 eliminate delays caused by long explanations or repeated clarifications.

The History Behind 10-Codes Like 10-90

The use of ten-codes—including the 10-90 police code—dates back to the late 1930s when the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) created a concise radio communication system for police forces. The goal was to minimize airtime and reduce miscommunication, especially during emergencies. The system was officially standardized in 1940 and updated again in 1974, and while some departments have moved toward plain language in recent years, 10-codes like 10-90 are still widely recognized and used.

What Is 10-90 Police Code?

The 10-90 police code stands for “Alarm Going Off” or “Bank Alarm”, and is a crucial signal in law enforcement for identifying potentially high-risk or emergency situations involving security system alerts. Whether you’re a law enforcement enthusiast, a scanner listener, or just curious about how police codes work, knowing what 10-90 means gives you deeper insight into real-time emergency communications.

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Your Trusted Resource for Understanding the 10-90 Police Code and All U.S. Police Codes

Welcome to All Police Codes – your comprehensive destination for exploring, understanding, and learning everything there is to know about U.S. police radio codes, including the vital 10-90 Police Code. Whether you’re a hobbyist, a student of criminal justice, or just curious about how emergency communication works, our platform is designed to guide you through the fascinating world of law enforcement lingo and signals.

The 10-90 Police Code specifically refers to an Alarm Going Off or Bank Alarm. It’s a crucial alert signal that can quickly notify officers about potential criminal activity involving alarms—often related to burglaries or break-ins at financial institutions or private properties. Understanding codes like 10-90 not only gives insight into law enforcement operations but also improves public awareness of how emergencies are managed efficiently.

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Our dedicated team has spent years researching and compiling accurate information about police ten-codes and radio signals used across departments nationwide. We’ve built this Police Codes Lookup Website to make it easy for anyone to explore not only what the 10-90 code means, but also how it fits into the broader system of law enforcement communication.

This knowledge is essential for police scanner enthusiasts, emergency prepper communities, amateur radio users, and anyone seeking to better understand the codes broadcasted during real-time emergency responses. From 10-0 to 10-99, every code serves a unique purpose in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of emergency communication.

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How and Why Police Codes Were Created

Police radio codes were originally introduced between 1937 and 1940 and standardized through the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). These codes aimed to streamline communication over radios, making it faster, more secure, and less prone to error in critical moments.

Before this, APCO first introduced Morse code brevity codes in the June 1935 issue of The APCO Bulletin, which were influenced by U.S. Navy communication standards. While those were designed for Morse code, the later voice-based ten-codes evolved into the voice protocols we recognize today.

Commonly Used Codes Like 10-90

The 10-90 code, meaning Alarm Going Off / Bank Alarm, is just one of many important signals. For example:

10-7 means “Out of Service,” typically used when an officer ends duty.
10-42 signifies “Ending Tour of Duty,” often used to mark the end of a shift or retirement.

You can listen to these and other codes, including the 10-90 Police Code, in action using a police code scanner or emergency radio app.

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Continue your journey into public safety communications by browsing our complete directory of police codes. Stay informed, be aware, and learn the lingo that keeps emergency services running smoothly. Whether you’re decoding 10-90 or diving into lesser-known ten-codes, we’ve got everything you need right here.

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