What Is a 148 Police Code? 148 Police Code

The 148 police code meaning for the police forces is Resisting Arrest.

If you’ve ever wondered what is 148 Police Code, you’re not alone. The 148 Police Code is a commonly used code in law enforcement across the United States, and it stands for Resisting Arrest. This code is invoked when an individual deliberately obstructs or resists a police officer while they are performing their lawful duties. Whether it’s through physical struggle, fleeing the scene, or interfering with an arrest in progress, 148 PC is a serious charge that can escalate quickly depending on the situation.

Police officers and dispatchers rely on codes like 148 Police Code to streamline communication. Instead of using long-winded descriptions over the radio or risking miscommunication during urgent calls, law enforcement personnel use short numerical codes to convey critical information quickly and clearly. In this case, if an officer calls in a “148,” it means they’re facing resistance during an arrest situation and may need backup or support.

Why Police Use the 148 Police Code

The main reason for using codes such as 148 Police Code is efficiency. Law enforcement agencies deal with high-pressure situations where every second counts. Saying “Resisting Arrest” every time over a radio transmission might take too long or get misunderstood. With standardized police codes like 148, officers can ensure clarity and speed, minimizing delays and confusion. This type of short-form communication became especially important after the introduction of the APCO Ten Signals in the late 1930s, which laid the foundation for modern police code systems.

Understanding 148 Police Code can also help civilians interpret scanner chatter or public reports more clearly. Many people tune into police scanners or follow local crime alerts, and recognizing that “148” means someone is resisting arrest adds helpful context to what’s happening around their community.

What Is Resisting Arrest?

To fully understand 148 Police Code, it’s essential to know what resisting arrest actually involves. This offense doesn’t always mean someone is physically fighting the police. It can include actions like pulling away, refusing to comply with lawful orders, interfering with handcuffing, providing false identification, or even warning a suspect that officers are nearby.

In legal terms, the 148 Police Code can lead to criminal charges that range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on whether there was violence or injury involved. It’s a code taken seriously across all jurisdictions in the U.S. and is often one of the first indicators that an officer’s safety may be at risk.

What Is 148 Police Code? Know the Code, Understand the Situation

The 148 Police Code refers to resisting arrest — a situation where someone actively obstructs a law enforcement officer’s attempt to detain or question them. It’s a key communication tool used by police departments to report and respond to confrontational or noncompliant encounters quickly and effectively.

Understanding the 148 Police Code isn’t just for officers or dispatchers. Whether you’re a citizen listening to police scanners, a journalist reporting local incidents, or simply someone who wants to stay informed, knowing the meaning behind police codes like 148 helps you decode what’s happening around you in real time.

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All About the 148 Police Code – Your Ultimate Guide to Police Codes in the United States

Welcome to your complete and trusted source for understanding the 148 Police Code and all other essential police codes used across the United States. We’ve carefully built this police code lookup website to help you learn more about what Police Code 148 means, how it’s used by law enforcement, and why these codes are such a vital part of emergency communication systems.

Whether you’re a student, a journalist, someone preparing for a law enforcement career, or simply curious about how police communicate quickly and efficiently, this site will give you everything you need to know about the 148 Police Code, and many other codes in use today.

What Is the 148 Police Code? A Deep Dive into Police Communication

The 148 Police Code is used to refer to resisting arrest. This is a serious charge and one that officers across the country report using this code during daily operations. Police codes like 148 allow dispatchers and officers to communicate crucial information in real-time, without the need for lengthy verbal explanations. By using standardized codes, law enforcement ensures faster response times and greater operational clarity during high-pressure situations.

Understanding the meaning of the 148 Police Code is essential for anyone studying criminal justice, interested in police scanners, or researching how officers handle various infractions. When an officer uses Code 148, it alerts the team that an individual is actively resisting arrest, which may require immediate backup or special handling.

Why Police Codes Like 148 Matter: Speed, Safety, and Standardization

Police codes were first developed between 1937 and 1940 to address the growing need for fast, clear, and efficient communication within law enforcement agencies. These codes were later expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) to include a broader and more uniform set of signals.

Originally inspired by U.S. Navy Morse code brevity systems and published in the APCO Bulletin in June 1935, these codes have since evolved into the voice-based system officers use today. Over the decades, codes like the 148 Police Code have proven essential for managing dispatch communication, officer safety, and public incident response.

Today, there are dozens of commonly used police codes across the nation, each serving a specific purpose—from reporting crimes to signaling when an officer is ending their shift using codes like 10-7 (Out of Service) or 10-42 (End of Tour).

Free and Reliable Access to the 148 Police Code and More

All of the information about the 148 Police Code and other codes on this website is available to you completely free of charge. We’ve dedicated years to compiling and maintaining the most accurate and comprehensive database of police codes and signals used across the United States.

We do this out of passion and respect for the men and women in uniform who keep our communities safe, as well as to help educate the public on how law enforcement operates. In order to support the ongoing costs of maintaining this resource, we’ve included advertising throughout the site.

If you’re curious about hearing police codes in action, including 148 Police Code transmissions, you can use a police scanner or scanner app. These allow you to listen to real-time dispatch conversations and learn how officers and dispatchers use codes like 148 in real-world scenarios.

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