What Is a 21.11 Police Code? 21.11 Police Code

The 21.11 police code meaning for the police forces is Indecency With a Child.

The 21.11 police code is a law enforcement shorthand that stands for Indecency with a Child. This specific code is used by police officers and emergency personnel to swiftly identify and communicate incidents involving inappropriate or unlawful conduct with a minor. Understanding what the 21.11 police code means is critical not only for those studying police terminology, but also for members of the public who follow legal and criminal cases or use police scanners to stay informed.

The question “What is 21.11 Police Code?” is commonly searched by those trying to decipher the exact nature of police reports or court documents where this code appears. In jurisdictions such as Texas, the code 21.11 often refers to legal statutes involving sexual misconduct toward a child, encompassing behavior considered both morally and legally indecent. Using a shorthand like “21.11” ensures that officers can communicate sensitive matters quickly and clearly, without needing to describe the details over public radio or during fast-paced operations.

Background on the 21.11 Police Code and How It’s Used

The 21.11 police code is part of a broader system of numeric identifiers known as police codes or penal codes, which allow for discreet, standardized communication across law enforcement agencies. These codes became widely adopted following the creation of the APCO Ten Signals in 1937 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). They were further refined in the 1970s to streamline public safety operations. Each code typically corresponds to a specific criminal act, making it easier for officers to report incidents with precision and speed.

While not all states use the exact same numerical system, in states such as Texas, 21.11 refers directly to criminal charges involving Indecency with a Child. This includes acts of sexual contact or exposure involving a child under a certain age, often under the age of 17. This police code may appear in arrest records, court proceedings, and public safety broadcasts. Law enforcement officers rely on such standardized codes to ensure there is no ambiguity during arrests, dispatches, or investigations.

What Is Indecency with a Child? Understanding Police Code 21.11

The legal meaning of Indecency with a Child—as captured by Police Code 21.11—typically includes a range of actions considered sexually inappropriate or abusive when committed against a child. This can involve physical contact, exposure, or other acts that violate state and federal laws protecting minors. The severity of these crimes often results in felony charges, with long-term legal consequences including imprisonment and mandatory registration as a sex offender.

In law enforcement reports and court filings, referencing Police Code 21.11 helps streamline documentation and quickly convey the nature of the offense without needing to describe explicit or distressing details in full. This also allows for a layer of discretion when discussing or transmitting sensitive information across law enforcement radio systems.

Whether you’re a researcher, legal analyst, or an everyday citizen trying to understand the legal system better, recognizing what the 21.11 police code represents is key to interpreting police documents, scanner traffic, or courtroom language. This level of understanding also highlights the importance of clear, consistent codes in protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring justice is served effectively.

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Your Trusted Source for the 21.11 Police Code and All U.S. Police Codes

Welcome to All Police Codes, your most reliable and comprehensive source for understanding police signals and law enforcement terminology across the United States. Whether you’re a curious citizen, a student of criminal justice, or an emergency communications enthusiast, our Police Codes guide website was created to help you learn everything there is to know about police radio codes, including the important and sensitive 21.11 Police Code, which refers to Indecency with a Child.

We understand the significance of police codes in daily emergency communication, and our mission is to make this specialized language accessible to everyone. Our platform offers detailed breakdowns of each police code—including what is 21.11 Police Code? —while offering historical context, legal relevance, and real-world usage examples. With police codes varying by region, our goal is to unify and clarify the meanings for readers nationwide.

Why Understanding the 21.11 Police Code Matters

The 21.11 Police Code is used by law enforcement to indicate cases involving Indecency with a Child, a serious criminal offense that often triggers immediate and sensitive response protocols. It is one of many alphanumeric codes designed to streamline communication between officers, dispatchers, and emergency responders—especially when discretion, speed, and accuracy are critical.

By using shorthand such as “21.11,” officers can avoid confusion, reduce time spent on radios, and ensure that responses are rapid and appropriate. This code, like many others, is essential for clear operational communication, particularly in high-stress or time-sensitive investigations.

You can monitor police activity, including 21.11 code calls, by using a police code scanner, which allows listeners to interpret the encrypted language of real-time law enforcement radio transmissions.

A Legacy of Police Code Communication Since 1937

Police codes originated in the late 1930s when the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) introduced a structured system to standardize radio language across jurisdictions. These “Ten Signals,” now widely referred to as “10-codes,” were designed to enhance efficiency and eliminate misunderstandings in voice transmissions. The system saw significant national adoption between 1937 and 1940 and was formally expanded in 1974.

Before the widespread use of voice communication, APCO even proposed the use of Morse code brevity signals—based on the U.S. Navy’s procedural symbols—as early as 1935 in The APCO Bulletin. These early communication codes laid the foundation for today’s highly organized radio systems.

One of the most commonly used 10-codes today includes “10-7” (Out of Service) and “10-42” (End of Watch), which officers use to signify the end of their tour of duty. These codes not only serve logistical purposes but also carry deep symbolic weight within the law enforcement community.

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All of the Police Code information provided on this website is completely free for public use. We believe in the power of open information and the importance of supporting emergency service professionals by educating the public about how they operate. Our team has been deeply engaged in studying and documenting police codes and radio signals for many years, with the aim of making law enforcement communication more transparent and better understood by everyday citizens.

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Learn More About the 21.11 Police Code and Other U.S. Police Signals

If you’re here to discover 21.11 police code, or you’re exploring our full collection of law enforcement codes, you’ve come to the right place. From criminal conduct codes to routine dispatch signals, our team is constantly expanding our library to include everything you need to know about how police officers communicate across states, counties, and cities.

Start exploring today and empower yourself with accurate, up-to-date information on the 21.11 Police Code and the complete spectrum of police signal systems across the USA.

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