What Is a 31.12 Police Code? 31.12 Police Code

The 31.12 police code meaning for the police forces is Theft of or Tampering with Multichannel Video or Information Services.

The 31.12 Police Code is used by law enforcement agencies to indicate a specific type of crime: Theft of or Tampering with Multichannel Video or Information Services. This police code is part of a larger classification system designed to streamline communication among officers and emergency personnel across the United States. By assigning short numerical codes to various crimes and incidents, police forces are able to communicate quickly and without ambiguity, especially over radio systems where time and clarity are critical.

The 31.12 police code is particularly relevant in cases where individuals are illegally accessing or interfering with cable television, satellite signals, broadband systems, or other multichannel video or information delivery platforms. These crimes may include unauthorized cable hookups, illegal splicing of satellite TV lines, or tampering with a provider’s hardware to bypass service fees. Because these offenses involve the unlawful interception or manipulation of service infrastructure, they are treated seriously by both local and federal law enforcement.

The Purpose and Efficiency of Using Police Codes Like 31.12 in Field Operations

The usage of police codes—such as the 31.12 Police Code—is rooted in the need for speed, precision, and efficiency in field operations. Law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and emergency responders rely on this system to ensure seamless and error-free communication, especially during high-stakes or time-sensitive situations. Rather than articulating long phrases like “Theft of or Tampering with Multichannel Video or Information Services” over a radio channel, officers can simply say “Code 31.12,” saving both time and bandwidth while maintaining clarity.

This type of communication shorthand was originally introduced in the late 1930s through the development of the APCO Ten Signals, which laid the foundation for today’s police code system. As modern technology has introduced more complex forms of digital crime—including cable and network piracy—the codes have evolved to accommodate new categories of offenses like those covered under 31.12. By using a standardized code, all responding officers immediately understand the nature of the incident and the legal classification it falls under, regardless of which department they belong to.

What Does Theft or Tampering with Multichannel Video or Information Services Mean?

The criminal act described by the 31.12 Police Code refers to any unauthorized access to or interference with systems that deliver multichannel video or information services. These services typically include cable TV, satellite services, internet-based video streaming systems, and other telecommunication infrastructures. Offenders might illegally install splitters, manipulate signal amplifiers, bypass authentication equipment, or interfere with the wiring used by licensed service providers.

Theft in this context means receiving services without proper authorization or payment. Tampering, on the other hand, involves altering or damaging the equipment or infrastructure in a way that disrupts or modifies how the service is delivered. Such actions can not only cause financial harm to service providers but may also violate federal communication regulations. In many jurisdictions, violations under police code 31.12 may lead to criminal charges, fines, and potential jail time depending on the scope of the offense.

Why Knowing the 31.12 Police Code Matters for Law Enforcement and the Public

Understanding 31.12 Police Code is not only essential for police officers but can also be valuable for citizens, neighborhood watch groups, private security professionals, and those interested in public safety. As technology continues to evolve, crimes involving digital and telecommunications systems are becoming more common. Being familiar with police codes like 31.12 helps the public remain informed about the kinds of offenses being committed and how law enforcement categorizes and responds to them.

The 31.12 Police Code also serves as a reminder that theft and tampering aren’t limited to physical property—they also extend to digital infrastructure and information services. If you suspect that someone in your area is engaging in cable theft or tampering with video or internet services, it is important to report the activity to the appropriate authorities. Law enforcement takes these crimes seriously, and the use of codes like 31.12 ensures a rapid and standardized response.

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Discover the Meaning and Use of the 31.12 Police Code on Our Comprehensive Police Codes Lookup Platform

Welcome to All Police Codes – your trusted and authoritative destination for everything related to U.S. police codes. Our mission is to provide the most accurate, detailed, and easy-to-understand information about various police signals and communication codes used by law enforcement officers across the country. If you’ve been searching for reliable information about 31.12 Police Code, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve carefully built a user-friendly platform to help you explore and understand the 31.12 Police Code, along with every other major and minor police code in use today throughout the United States.

Our team has spent years thoroughly researching, compiling, and organizing information about police codes and radio signals. These codes play a vital role in law enforcement communications, allowing emergency responders to convey critical messages quickly, precisely, and without confusion. Codes like 31.12 streamline emergency communication, reduce the chance of errors, and ensure that police officers can respond to incidents with maximum efficiency.

The Importance of the 31.12 Police Code in Law Enforcement Communication

The 31.12 Police Code is one of the many specialized signals used by police departments. Specifically, the 31.12 code refers to Theft of or Tampering with Multichannel Video or Information Services. This offense typically relates to the unlawful interference, tapping, or manipulation of digital television, cable, satellite, or internet services. Such violations can impact the integrity of communication infrastructure and may involve criminal tampering with service lines or devices intended to intercept or manipulate broadcast signals.

Understanding what 31.12 Police Code means is crucial not just for law enforcement officers but also for legal professionals, security teams, emergency service coordinators, and civilians who are interested in how public safety systems operate. Our website ensures that users of all backgrounds can easily access and learn the meanings behind these often cryptic-sounding police terms.

Why Police Codes Matter and How They Evolved: From APCO to Modern Use

Police communication codes, including 31.12, are deeply rooted in history. The origin of police codes dates back to the late 1930s. Between 1937 and 1940, the first formal set of brevity codes was introduced by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). These early codes were intended to simplify Morse code transmissions and were originally based on procedures developed by the U.S. Navy.

In fact, APCO’s first proposals for standardized codes appeared in the June 1935 issue of The APCO Bulletin, drawing heavily from military Morse code communication systems. Although the initial system was designed for Morse rather than voice communication, it laid the groundwork for what would evolve into the APCO Ten Signals, commonly known as 10-codes, which are still widely used today in police and emergency services dispatch.

One example of this system in action is when a police officer completes their shift. Upon ending their tour of duty, they issue a 10-7 code, meaning “Out of Service,” followed by a 10-42 code, which officially marks the end of their shift. These standardized codes are vital to ensuring clear, rapid, and safe exchanges of information between units, dispatchers, and other emergency personnel.

Access the 31.12 Police Code and Hundreds More Through Our Free Scanner-Friendly Database

Our online Police Codes Lookup Website is designed to give you instant access to accurate meanings behind all types of codes, including the 31.12 Police Code. Best of all, the information is completely free to access. We are passionate about supporting the emergency responders and law enforcement agencies who work tirelessly to protect our communities. That’s why we offer this resource as a public service.

To support the website’s operational costs, we’ve integrated non-intrusive advertising. This allows us to continue providing high-quality, up-to-date police code information without charging our users. Additionally, you can listen to the 31.12 Police Code and others using a police code scanner – a valuable tool for radio enthusiasts, journalists, or anyone interested in public safety.

Explore our ever-growing collection of police signal definitions and dive deeper into how law enforcement uses coded language to maintain order, efficiency, and safety. Whether you’re learning out of curiosity or for professional reasons, we’re here to help you decode the complex world of police communications.

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