What Is a 187 Police Code? 187 Police Code

The 187 police code meaning for the police forces is Homicide (Murder).

The term “187 police code” refers to the California Penal Code Section 187, which is used by law enforcement to signify homicide or murder. When officers refer to “a 187,” they are reporting a case involving an unlawful killing of a human being. The 187 police code has become widely recognized, not just in California but across the United States, due to its frequent use in police communications, legal contexts, and popular media.

The Meaning Behind the 187 Police Code

The police code 187 is shorthand for a serious and high-priority crime: homicide (murder). This numeric code allows police officers and dispatchers to communicate quickly and efficiently over radios and other communication systems. Instead of saying “homicide” or “murder,” which may cause alarm or require longer transmission time, law enforcement uses the number 187 as a concise and standardized way to convey the same message.

Using numeric codes like 187 also reduces the chances of miscommunication, spelling errors, or confusion during high-stress situations. These codes are especially useful in fast-paced environments where clarity, speed, and precision are essential.

Where Does the 187 Police Code Come From?

The code 187 originates from the California Penal Code, specifically Section 187, which defines murder as “the unlawful killing of a human being or a fetus with malice aforethought.” Because of California’s influence on national media, including television shows, films, and music, the term “187” has become synonymous with murder or homicide across the U.S., even in jurisdictions that don’t officially use the same code.

Common Usage of the 187 Police Code in Law Enforcement

Radio Dispatch: Officers or dispatchers may say, “We’ve got a 187 in progress,” to indicate a potential or active homicide.
Police Reports: “Suspect is wanted for 187 PC” would mean the person is wanted for a murder charge under California Penal Code.
Court Proceedings: In California legal documents, a suspect charged under 187 PC is facing a murder allegation.

What Is Homicide (Murder)? Understanding the Crime Behind the Code

Homicide is the act of one human killing another. It can be classified into various categories:

First-degree murder: Premeditated and intentional killing.
Second-degree murder: Intentional but not premeditated.
Manslaughter: A lesser form of homicide, often without intent (voluntary or involuntary).

Under the 187 police code, homicide typically refers to first or second-degree murder, depending on the circumstances.

187 Police Code in Pop Culture

The 187 police code has gained mainstream recognition due to its use in TV shows like Law & Order, CSI, COPS, and even in rap and hip-hop lyrics, often referencing the harsh realities of street life or criminal activity. This pop culture exposure has helped spread awareness of what the 187 police code means, far beyond California’s borders.

Why the 187 Police Code Matters

What is 187 police code? is more than just a curiosity—understanding this code gives insight into how law enforcement communicates during life-or-death situations. The 187 police code means homicide or murder, a crime taken with the utmost seriousness. Whether you’re learning about police procedures, studying criminal justice, or simply curious about the meaning of 187, knowing this code offers a deeper understanding of legal terminology and police operations.

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Welcome to the Ultimate Police Codes Lookup Resource

At All Police Codes, we proudly welcome you to the most comprehensive and user-friendly website dedicated to police codes in the United States. Whether you’re here to explore the meaning of the 187 police code, learn about police radio signals, or simply satisfy your curiosity about how law enforcement communicates, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve meticulously compiled a vast database of police codes used across different U.S. states and jurisdictions. From the well-known 10-codes to local and state-specific signals, our goal is to help you understand and decode police communication used by officers and emergency personnel every single day.

What Is the 187 Police Code?

The 187 police code is among the most searched and widely recognized police codes, commonly associated with homicide. Used primarily in California and popularized through media and pop culture, this code holds serious implications in real-life law enforcement and criminal justice reporting. On our website, you can listen to 187 police code in action through live scanner feeds and learn how it fits into the broader communication systems used by police departments nationwide.

Decoding Police Radio Codes: A Historical Perspective

Police codes have been a fundamental part of emergency communication since the late 1930s. They were initially created to provide brevity, clarity, and speed during radio transmissions. The earliest versions of these codes were introduced between 1937 and 1940, and in 1974, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) expanded and standardized them for more effective use across public safety organizations.

Interestingly, APCO’s efforts date back even further. In 1935, APCO proposed the use of Morse code brevity signals adapted from U.S. Navy procedures, which eventually evolved into the voice communication codes used today.

Why Police Codes Matter

Every day, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and public safety officials rely on these codes to transmit urgent information quickly and clearly. Whether it’s a traffic stop, a theft in progress, or a life-threatening situation like a 187, these codes streamline communication and enable rapid response.

Commonly used police radio signals include:

10-4: Acknowledgment/Message received
10-7: Out of service
10-42: Officer’s end of tour
10-20: Location of the unit

These are just a few examples of how coded communication ensures efficiency and safety in high-pressure situations.

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We maintain this site because we genuinely care about the emergency services community and admire the critical work they do. While access to all our police code content is completely free of charge, we do place ads on the site to cover operational and hosting costs.

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Whether you’re looking to understand what police code 187 means, learn about APCO’s history, or dive into the entire catalog of police signals used in your area, our website is the only resource you’ll ever need. Use our interactive police code lookup tool, browse by state, and even tune into live police scanner feeds to hear how codes are used in real-time.

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