What Is a 149 Police Code? 149 Police Code

The 149 police code meaning for the police forces is Dui/Dwi.

If you’re wondering what is 149 police code, you’re in the right place. The 149 Police Code is commonly used by law enforcement to signify a DUI or DWI offense, which stands for Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated. This police code is crucial in ensuring swift and clear communication between officers, especially during traffic stops or emergency response situations involving impaired drivers.

Using shorthand codes like 149 Police Code allows officers to communicate quickly, efficiently, and without confusion over the radio. Instead of explaining the situation in a long sentence, they can simply state “Code 149” to indicate the presence or suspicion of a DUI/DWI incident. These police codes are part of a standardized set of signals used across various law enforcement agencies in the United States.

Understanding the Meaning of 149 Police Code: DUI/DWI

The term DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) refers to operating a motor vehicle while one’s abilities are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances. The 149 Police Code is used to alert dispatchers and other officers of this type of violation, helping teams coordinate a fast and effective response. Whether it’s conducting sobriety tests, making an arrest, or requesting backup, the code 149 plays a vital role in ensuring public safety and road enforcement.

History of Police Codes Like 149: Where It All Started

Police codes like 149 trace their origins back to the 1930s, when they were developed as part of the APCO Ten Signals system between 1937 and 1940. Later expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO), this system was designed to streamline police communication and reduce errors over noisy or unclear radio channels. The goal was simple: make radio conversations quicker, more standardized, and universally understood among officers and departments.

As part of this evolution, the 149 Police Code emerged as a shorthand for DUI/DWI offenses.

149 Police Code in Action: Why It Matters

The 149 Police Code isn’t just a number—it’s a tool that helps protect lives on the road. When officers identify a driver under the influence, using Code 149 ensures that all necessary units are informed immediately. It prevents confusion, cuts down response time, and allows for a coordinated approach to dealing with potentially dangerous situations. Whether you’re listening to a police scanner or studying police signals, understanding 149 police code is key to knowing how law enforcement handles DUI-related incidents.

In conclusion, 149 Police Code stands for DUI/DWI and plays an essential role in traffic safety enforcement across the country. By knowing the meaning behind this code, you’re one step closer to understanding how law enforcement works behind the scenes to keep our communities safe.

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All Police Codes: Your Ultimate Guide to the 149 Police Code and Beyond

Welcome to All Police Codes, your trusted source for learning about police codes in the United States, including the specific meaning and usage of the 149 Police Code. Whether you’re a law enforcement enthusiast, a student, a journalist, or simply curious about the language used by emergency responders, you’ve come to the right place. This website offers a detailed and regularly updated guide to help you understand exactly what the 149 Police Code means, along with all the other vital codes used across U.S. jurisdictions.

The 149 Police Code specifically refers to DUI/DWI – Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated. This code is frequently used by officers in the field to communicate DUI-related incidents quickly and clearly over the radio. With thousands of calls happening each day, using shorthand codes like 149 allows officers and dispatchers to maintain swift, efficient communication without any room for misinterpretation.

Why 149 Police Code Matters in Emergency Communication

Our team at All Police Codes has spent years researching and compiling the most accurate and comprehensive data available about police codes, signals, and law enforcement terminology. Our goal is to create a centralized reference point where users can explore the meaning and background of codes like 149 Police Code, along with how they fit into the larger framework of police radio communication.

Police codes—also known as Ten-Codes or radio signals—originated between 1937 and 1940 and were officially expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). These codes were initially introduced to streamline voice transmissions on police radios and were adapted from existing U.S. Navy procedures. The 149 Police Code, in particular, plays a vital role in reporting and handling DUI incidents swiftly, allowing law enforcement to take immediate action and prevent further harm.

Free Access to 149 Police Code Information – Because Knowledge Should Be Shared

At All Police Codes, all of the police code explanations, including those for 149 Police Code, are available for free. We created this platform because we value the work of police officers, emergency personnel, and first responders—and we believe in making this critical information publicly accessible. To help with our operational costs, this site does include advertisements, but rest assured that the core educational content will always remain open and free to access.

Want to hear the 149 Police Code in action? You can use a police code scanner to listen to live police communications and better understand how these codes are applied in real time. It’s a fascinating way to gain insight into the dynamic, high-stakes world of emergency services.

A Look into History: The Origins of Police Code 149 and APCO’s Role

The story of police codes began in the early 20th century when APCO first proposed a set of Morse code-based brevity signals in its June 1935 bulletin. These were drawn from U.S. Navy communication methods but were initially used for Morse, not voice. As voice radio became standard, APCO adapted these signals into the modern Ten-Code system we recognize today.

Among the most used Ten-Codes today are 10-7 (Out of Service) and 10-42 (End of Tour of Duty)—common during officer sign-offs. But codes like 149 are equally crucial, especially when dealing with public safety concerns such as intoxicated driving. With its practical importance and real-world application, understanding the 149 Police Code offers valuable insight into how police departments maintain order and safety on the roads every single day.

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