What Is a 148 California Police Code? 148 Police Code

The 148 california police code meaning for the police forces is Resisting A Police Officer or Obstructing A Police Officer.

If you’re wondering what is 148 California police code, you’re not alone. This frequently used police code refers to a specific legal violation under California law. The 148 police code stands for resisting, delaying, or obstructing a police officer (or other public officer) in the performance of their duties.

More specifically, California Penal Code 148(a)(1) states that it is a misdemeanor offense to willfully resist, delay, or obstruct any public officer, peace officer, or emergency medical technician (EMT) while they are performing their official duties.

This code is crucial for law enforcement communication, legal professionals, and the general public to understand—especially in situations involving police interactions.

The Meaning Behind the 148 Police Code in California

The 148 police code is part of a broader set of California police codes developed to streamline communication between officers and dispatch. Instead of using lengthy descriptions or risking miscommunication during high-stress situations, police officers use short numeric codes such as “148” to quickly indicate what type of offense or situation is occurring.

In this case, code 148 means that an individual is resisting arrest, delaying a police officer’s duties, or obstructing law enforcement in some capacity. This can include physical resistance, refusing to cooperate, providing false information, or interfering with an arrest or investigation.

Why Do Police Use Codes Like 148?

Police codes like the 148 California police code serve several purposes:

Efficiency: Codes allow officers to relay information faster over the radio.
Clarity: Reduces misunderstandings and miscommunications during emergencies.
Confidentiality: Helps keep sensitive information discreet when communicating publicly.
Uniformity: Ensures consistency in police reports and interdepartmental coordination.

When officers say they are “dealing with a 148,” other officers immediately understand the nature of the situation—someone is resisting or obstructing them in the line of duty.

What Constitutes Resisting or Obstructing a Police Officer?

Under California Penal Code 148, an individual can be charged for:

Physically resisting arrest
Running away from a police officer
Refusing to provide identification when lawfully required
Deliberately interfering in a lawful police investigation
Lying to officers during an active investigation
Recording police activity in a way that obstructs their work

It’s important to note that simply questioning an officer or passively refusing to comply without interference may not always qualify as a 148 violation, but every case is unique and depends on the circumstances.

Penalties for Violating California Police Code 148

Violating the 148 police code in California is generally classified as a misdemeanor, punishable by:

Up to one year in county jail
A fine of up to $1,000
Probation, community service, or other penalties depending on the court’s discretion

However, if violence or threats are involved, or if the obstruction leads to harm or significant delay, charges can be more serious.

What Is a 148 California Police Code? Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

The 148 California police code refers to the act of resisting, delaying, or obstructing a police officer in the line of duty. This code, widely used in California law enforcement communications, plays a vital role in maintaining order and efficiency during police operations.

If you’re ever in a situation involving police interaction, it’s crucial to stay informed, comply when appropriate, and know your rights. Understanding what code 148 means could help you avoid unnecessary legal trouble—and support the work of law enforcement officers trying to keep the community safe.

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Welcome to the Ultimate Police Codes Lookup Resource – Your Guide to the 148 Police Code and More

Police Codes website is your one-stop resource for discovering, learning, and exploring every police code used across the United States, including the widely referenced 148 Police Code.

Whether you’re a curious citizen, a student of criminal justice, or an enthusiast of law enforcement communications, our site is designed to give you in-depth access to the complete list of U.S. police codes, their meanings, usage, and history. We’ve carefully curated and verified this information to help you better understand how police officers and emergency responders use these codes every day to coordinate and communicate efficiently.

What Is the 148 Police Code?

The 148 Police Code refers to the act of resisting, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer or emergency medical technician in the lawful performance of their duties. This code is commonly used in police reports and over the radio to describe non-compliance or resistance during arrest or questioning. It’s one of many standardized codes used to quickly and clearly convey critical information without lengthy explanations.

Learn All U.S. Police Codes in One Place

Our mission is to make police communication codes accessible and easy to understand for everyone. On our site, you’ll find:

A full database of Ten-Codes (10-codes) and their meanings
Police scanner codes used by dispatch centers across the country
State-specific police codes including California, New York, Texas, and Florida
A dedicated section for APCO police codes and emergency services signals
Explanations of historical and modern police communication protocols

Whether you’re looking to decode what you heard on a police scanner or simply want to deepen your knowledge of law enforcement terminology, we’ve got you covered.

Our Passion for Police Codes and Public Safety

We have spent years researching, compiling, and verifying the most accurate and up-to-date police code references. Our passion for police signals and emergency response communication drives everything we do. We believe that understanding these codes not only promotes transparency but also fosters a greater appreciation for the work of first responders.

All the information on our website is provided completely free of charge. We do this because we care deeply about public safety, communication efficiency, and the brave men and women in uniform. To help cover our operating costs and keep this resource available to the public, we display advertising on our site.

A Brief History of Police Code Development

The development of police codes and radio signals dates back to the late 1930s. Between 1937 and 1940, these codes were initially introduced to improve the efficiency of police radio communication. In 1974, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) expanded the system to what we now recognize as the APCO 10-codes.

Interestingly, APCO’s early recommendations were influenced by Morse code brevity codes used by the U.S. Navy. The first suggestion for these codes appeared in the June 1935 issue of The APCO Bulletin, adapting naval procedures for use in voice communication across law enforcement agencies.

Commonly Used Police Radio Codes

One of the most iconic police codes used in daily law enforcement operations is the 10-7 code, which means “Out of Service.” When an officer completes their shift, they will often follow this with a 10-42 code, indicating the “End of Tour of Duty.” These simple, standardized codes carry emotional and procedural significance, especially in ceremonies honoring fallen officers.

Listen in with a Police Scanner

You can hear real-time police communications, including the 148 Police Code, using a police scanner. These devices (or apps) allow the public to listen to dispatch calls and learn how officers use codes to handle situations, coordinate units, and respond to emergencies quickly and effectively.

Discover more about Police Codes