What Is a 11-45 Police Code? 11-45 Police Code

The 11-45 police code meaning for the police forces is Attempted Suicide.

The 11-45 Police Code is a vital shorthand term used in law enforcement and emergency response communications. So, what is 11-45 Police Code? The official meaning of the 11-45 code is Attempted Suicide. This distressing and serious code is used by police officers and emergency personnel to report or respond to a situation involving a suicide attempt, where immediate attention and response are critical to preserving life.

Understanding the 11-45 Police Code Meaning

The 11-45 Police Code represents a situation in which someone is believed to have attempted to end their own life. In high-pressure emergency environments, this short numeric code allows for faster, more efficient communication over police radios. Instead of stating “Attempted Suicide” over a public or recorded channel, which can be emotionally triggering or expose sensitive information, officers use 11-45 to communicate the urgency with discretion.

This police code is part of a broader system of “Ten Codes” and “Eleven Codes” developed to streamline and standardize emergency radio communication. These codes help reduce misunderstandings, speed up responses, and ensure that emergency dispatchers and field officers are on the same page in high-stakes situations.

Why Police Use 11-45 Code Instead of Full Descriptions

When responding to emotionally intense or life-threatening events like attempted suicides, police departments rely on numeric codes like 11-45 to convey serious incidents without alarming the public. Using standardized codes also:

Minimizes confusion during fast-moving operations
Ensures clarity across departments and jurisdictions
Protects the privacy of the individuals involved
Speeds up emergency response by reducing unnecessary explanations

Whether it’s a dispatcher sending out units or officers communicating in the field, using Police Code 11-45 ensures that every second counts when a life may be hanging in the balance.

What Is Attempted Suicide in the Context of Police Response?

Attempted suicide refers to a situation where a person has tried to take their own life but has not succeeded. Law enforcement officers, often the first responders, must act quickly and with care. The 11-45 police code helps them respond with the necessary urgency while coordinating with paramedics, mental health professionals, and other emergency services.

Recognizing and using this code properly allows agencies to deploy trained crisis intervention teams and ensure the individual gets both immediate medical attention and longer-term support.

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11-45 Police Code – What Is a 11-45 Police Code? Full Meaning & Explanation

Welcome to All Police Codes, your ultimate source for learning and exploring law enforcement radio codes in the United States. If you’re searching for what is 11-45 police code, you’ve come to the right place. The 11-45 police code refers to Attempted Suicide, a critical code used by law enforcement personnel during emergency dispatch communications.

We’ve built this website to serve as a comprehensive and easy-to-navigate police code lookup platform, where you can discover everything there is to know about Police Code 11-45 and countless other numeric codes used by police departments across the country. Whether you’re a radio scanner hobbyist, aspiring first responder, or someone simply curious about police lingo, our database is here to help.

Understanding 11-45 Police Code: Attempted Suicide

In the context of public safety communication, Police Code 11-45 is a shorthand phrase for a highly sensitive and urgent situation—Attempted Suicide. Officers, dispatchers, and emergency services use the 11-45 code to quickly and discreetly report this type of mental health emergency, ensuring faster response times while minimizing radio traffic confusion. The importance of radio brevity and clarity in high-pressure situations is paramount, and that’s exactly where codes like 11-45 play a vital role.

Why Police Use Codes Like 11-45

The use of codes such as 11-45 Police Code helps streamline communication, improve clarity, and reduce the chances of miscommunication between dispatchers and officers. Instead of describing a full incident with multiple words—like “There is an attempted suicide reported at this location”—officers simply say “11-45” followed by the location and details. This allows for rapid, confidential transmission of critical information.

History of Police Radio Codes

Police radio codes, including the 11-series codes such as 11-45, have been in use since the late 1930s. They were initially introduced as part of the APCO Ten Signals, developed by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). These codes were created to standardize communication procedures among public safety agencies, enabling officers to stay focused during active calls and maintain operational efficiency.

Interestingly, the idea for brevity codes was first suggested in 1935 by APCO, drawing inspiration from U.S. Navy Morse code procedures. While those were originally meant for Morse communications, many concepts later evolved into the voice-based radio codes we recognize today.

Police Scanners and Monitoring Code 11-45

If you own a police scanner or listen to law enforcement broadcasts, you may occasionally hear the term 11-45 during emergency calls. Hearing this code in real time can indicate a deeply concerning and time-sensitive situation. It’s important to treat any incident involving Police Code 11-45 with seriousness, as it directly involves someone in immediate psychological crisis and potential danger.

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Learn More About Police Codes

11-45 is just one of dozens of active police codes in use across various jurisdictions. From 10-4 (Acknowledged) to 11-99 (Officer Needs Help), every code has a purpose and story. Explore our full database to learn more about how law enforcement uses shorthand communication, and stay informed about what these numbers really mean when you hear them.

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