What Is a 27 Police Code? 27 Police Code

The 27 police code meaning for the police forces is Attempted Crime.

If you’ve been asking yourself what is 27 Police Code, you’re in the right place. The 27 police code used by law enforcement agencies across the United States refers to “Attempted Crime.” This short, efficient code is part of the broader APCO Ten-Code system developed to streamline radio communication among police officers and emergency personnel.

The 27 Police Code helps officers quickly communicate that an attempted crime has occurred, whether it’s an attempted robbery, attempted assault, or any other criminal act that was initiated but not completed. Using a concise code like 27 eliminates the need for long explanations over radio frequencies, which can lead to confusion or miscommunication during critical moments.

Why the 27 Police Code Matters in Police Communication

The use of numeric police codes, including Police Code 27, originated in the late 1930s. Specifically, these codes were introduced between 1937 and 1940 as part of the APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials) Ten Signals system. In 1974, the system was standardized and expanded to improve clarity and communication efficiency across jurisdictions.

Having a universal code like 27 for “Attempted Crime” ensures that officers, dispatchers, and support teams are all on the same page. It allows police departments to maintain concise and professional communication, especially in high-pressure situations where every second matters.

Understanding Attempted Crime—What Does Police Code 27 Represent?

In legal terms, an attempted crime involves the intention to commit a criminal act and taking substantial steps toward completing it—though the crime itself is never fully executed. When an officer reports a 27 over the radio, it signals that a suspect has tried but failed to complete a crime, and this requires swift investigation or backup.

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

All About the 27 Police Code—Your Ultimate Guide to Police Radio Communication

Welcome to the most trusted and detailed online resource dedicated to Police Codes across the United States. If you’re searching for accurate, easy-to-understand information about what the 27 Police Code means, you’ve landed in the right place. Our comprehensive Police Code lookup platform is built for everyone—from law enforcement professionals to curious citizens—who wants to understand and explore the 27 Police Code along with other key codes used in public safety communication nationwide.

Our team has spent years researching, analyzing, and compiling data on police radio signals and ten-codes, which are still in active use today. These numeric codes play a critical role in allowing emergency service personnel—like police officers, dispatchers, and first responders—to communicate quickly, clearly, and without misunderstanding. Among them, the 27 Police Code, which specifically refers to an Attempted Crime, is one of the vital codes used in real-time response situations across many jurisdictions.

What Is the 27 Police Code?

The 27 Police Code is a signal that refers to an Attempted Crime. This means that officers are being alerted to a situation where a criminal act has been attempted but not completed. It allows for fast deployment, situational awareness, and appropriate response protocols. Like all police codes, 27 is designed to provide brief yet informative communication across radio transmissions.

Why Are Police Codes Like 27 So Important?

Police codes, including the 27 Police Code, were originally introduced as part of the APCO Ten Signals—developed by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) between 1937 and 1940. These codes were a revolutionary step in enhancing the speed and efficiency of radio communication, which was still in its early days during that period. The codes were further refined and expanded in 1974 to better fit the growing complexity of emergency response operations.

The use of ten-codes, such as 10-7 (Out of Service) or 10-42 (End of Duty), alongside numerical incident codes like 27, creates a standardized system that reduces ambiguity during high-pressure situations. Officers and dispatchers rely on these shortcodes for fast, discreet, and consistent communication, especially during emergencies.

Listen to the 27 Police Code in Action

Interested in hearing real police codes in use, including 27 Police Code? With the help of a police scanner—either digital or online—you can listen to actual law enforcement transmissions (where permitted by law). These scanners provide insight into how police officers, emergency responders, and dispatchers use codes like 27 in live scenarios, offering a glimpse into how essential these codes are for real-time operations.

Our Mission: Free, Accurate Information on All Police Codes

The information we share on this website—including details about the 27 Police Code—is completely free for public access. Our motivation is simple: we have a deep respect for the law enforcement community and a passion for making their tools of communication accessible and understandable to everyone. To help cover operational costs such as hosting and research, we display minimal and non-intrusive advertising across the site.

The Origins of Police Codes—From Morse to Modern Day

The evolution of police codes is deeply rooted in history. In fact, APCO’s first attempt to standardize communication dates back to a 1935 issue of The APCO Bulletin, where Morse code brevity symbols (inspired by U.S. Navy practices) were proposed. Although these early efforts used Morse, they laid the groundwork for the voice-based ten-code system we know today.

Police codes have continued to evolve, but their core purpose remains unchanged: to enable precise and fast communication that saves time, reduces confusion, and helps officers serve the public more effectively.

Discover more about Police Codes