What Is a 17f Police Code? 17f Police Code

The 17f police code meaning for the police forces is Fugitive Attachment.

If you’ve come across the term and are asking, “What Is 17f Police Code?”, the answer is this: The 17f Police Code refers to a Fugitive Attachment. In law enforcement terms, a fugitive attachment is an official warrant or legal order to detain an individual who has fled justice, failed to appear in court, or is actively avoiding arrest. When officers use the 17f Police Code, they are alerting others to a case involving a person who is wanted and must be taken into custody based on this legal attachment.

This code is used daily by dispatchers and police departments to simplify communication and ensure fast, clear, and reliable responses. In essence, it’s a shorthand message packed with legal urgency and operational importance.

The Purpose of the 17f Police Code in Law Enforcement Communication

The 17f Police Code exists to help officers relay critical information quickly and without confusion. In stressful or fast-moving situations, using police codes like 17f avoids miscommunication, especially when long verbal explanations could slow down a response. By simply saying “17f,” an officer can immediately alert dispatch or backup that they’re dealing with a fugitive attachment case.

These types of radio codes allow departments to standardize communication. Whether you’re in California, Texas, or New York, having a code system makes coordination smoother, particularly when cases involve multiple jurisdictions or agencies. The 17f code is an essential part of that streamlined language.

The Origin and Role of the 17f Code in Policing

Police codes—including 17f—trace their roots back to the late 1930s when the APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials) introduced the first Ten-Codes. As time went on, agencies began to develop their own expanded code sets for more detailed incidents. The 17f Police Code is one such example, customized to identify cases involving fugitives who are subject to legal detention.

These codes were developed to provide faster, clearer communication while also protecting sensitive information from being disclosed over public channels. Officers need to communicate efficiently, especially in high-risk or fast-developing incidents. A code like 17f instantly informs others about the seriousness and legal status of the person involved.

Why Knowing the 17f Police Code Matters

Understanding police codes such as 17f Police Code isn’t just for professionals. People interested in criminal justice, legal systems, or police scanner listening can benefit from knowing the meaning behind these terms. If you hear an officer or dispatcher mention a 17f, you now know it signifies a Fugitive Attachment—a serious matter involving someone evading legal custody.

Whether you’re pursuing a law enforcement career, studying criminal procedure, or just fascinated by police communication systems, the 17f Police Code gives you insight into how critical information is shared quickly and efficiently across departments. It reflects the precision and urgency of police operations, especially when tracking down fugitives.

Main Police Codes
Alphabet For Police
California Penal Codes
Emergency Response Codes
Police 10 Codes
Police 11 Codes
Police Abbreviations
Police Nicknames
Police Radio Codes
Police Scanner Codes
Texas Penal Codes

Learn About the 17f Police Code – Your Trusted Source for Police Codes in the USA

Welcome to All Police Codes, your ultimate resource for understanding law enforcement signals and codes used across the United States. On this website, we’ve put together a carefully curated and highly detailed guide to help you learn all about the 17f Police Code, along with the full range of police radio codes used by emergency responders nationwide. Whether you’re a civilian enthusiast, a student of criminal justice, or someone working in public safety communications, our platform is designed to make police code information easily accessible and 100% free.

What Is the 17f Police Code?

The 17f Police Code specifically refers to Fugitive Attachment, a critical code often used by law enforcement agencies during operations involving individuals with outstanding warrants or fugitives in custody. This code plays an essential role in alerting dispatchers and officers about a situation that requires special attention regarding fugitives or persons wanted by law. Knowing what the 17f police signal stands for can help you better understand police scanner transmissions and the real-time operations of law enforcement.

Why Are Police Codes Like 17f Important?

For decades, police codes like 17f have been a cornerstone of effective police communication. Instead of using long-winded descriptions that can be misheard or misunderstood over the radio, officers use numeric or alphanumeric codes to deliver messages quickly and clearly. Codes like 17f streamline communication, reduce the risk of errors, and enhance officer safety, especially during fast-paced or high-risk operations.

Our Passion for Police Code Research

Here at All Police Codes, we’ve been passionate about police communication systems for years. We continue to track, verify, and compile the latest police codes and signal meanings from jurisdictions all across America. Our research supports emergency services personnel and helps inform the public, so everyone can gain a better grasp of what these codes—like the 17f Police Code—mean in real-world contexts.

The police radio codes database we maintain is updated regularly to reflect the latest usage trends and signal standards used by law enforcement agencies. We believe in transparency and education, which is why we provide this information for free. Our love for police codes and deep respect for the officers who serve and protect our communities are what keep us going. To help support the costs of operating the site, we display some minimal advertising.

History of Police Codes in America

The concept of police codes dates back to the late 1930s. Between 1937 and 1940, the foundational police code system was created and later enhanced in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). APCO’s work laid the groundwork for modern police codes as we know them today, including signals like the 17f code.

Interestingly, the history of police brevity codes goes even further back. In June 1935, APCO proposed Morse code-based brevity systems adapted from the U.S. Navy’s communication protocols. While originally designed for Morse code, these ideas eventually evolved into voice transmission codes used in modern law enforcement dispatch systems.

Real-Time Use: Hearing the 17f Code on a Police Scanner

If you’re interested in hearing police codes in action, including 17f Police Code alerts, you can use a police scanner or scanner app to tune in to local law enforcement radio frequencies. These devices allow civilians to listen to real-time dispatch activity and gain insights into how codes like 17f (Fugitive Attachment) are used during active police operations.

From routine patrol reports to major fugitive arrests, the 17f code plays a key role in ensuring precise communication during sensitive law enforcement encounters. It’s one of many codes—like 10-7 (Out of Service) or 10-42 (End of Duty Shift)—that officers rely on every single day.

Discover more about Police Codes