What Is a 390c Police Code? 390c Police Code

The 390c police code meaning for the police forces is Drunk – In Vehicle.

If you’ve ever come across the term 390c police code, you might be wondering what it means. The 390c police code is used by law enforcement to identify a specific situation: “Drunk – In Vehicle.” This police code indicates that an individual is under the influence of alcohol and is either operating or occupying a motor vehicle while intoxicated. It is a crucial shorthand used to quickly communicate a potential DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or alcohol-related offense involving a vehicle.

Understanding the 390c Police Code Meaning

The 390c code falls under a broader category of California police radio codes, which are used to streamline communication between officers in the field and dispatch centers. These codes are designed to improve clarity, reduce miscommunication, and ensure that sensitive or urgent situations are quickly and effectively conveyed.

The 390c specifically refers to a “Drunk in Vehicle” scenario. It is not limited to just drivers—it can also apply to passengers who are intoxicated if their condition is contributing to a disturbance or public safety concern.

What Is Drunk in Vehicle? The Legal Implications

Being drunk in a vehicle, whether you are driving or just present in the vehicle while intoxicated, can have legal consequences, depending on the situation and state laws. In California and many other states, DUI laws are strictly enforced, and a 390c police code often initiates a DUI investigation.

When officers use the 390c police code, it typically means they are responding to:

Reports of a drunk driver
Individuals found sleeping intoxicated inside a vehicle
Suspicious behavior by individuals consuming alcohol in or near a vehicle

The code allows police to respond appropriately, assess the situation, and determine whether a DUI arrest or citation is necessary.

A Brief History of Police Codes in California

The use of police radio codes dates back to the 1930s, when the APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials) Ten Signals were first introduced in 1937. These standardized codes were designed to provide quick, unambiguous communication among law enforcement officers, especially in high-pressure or dangerous situations.

California, like many states, has adopted and modified these codes over the years to suit regional needs. While some areas are moving toward using plain English for transparency and public understanding, codes like 390c are still widely used within law enforcement for operational efficiency.

Why the 390c Police Code Matters

The 390c police code is a critical tool used by law enforcement to designate a situation involving someone who is drunk in a vehicle. Whether the individual is a driver or a passenger, the presence of alcohol and a vehicle can lead to serious legal issues.

By using concise codes like 390c, police officers can stay alert to dangerous or illegal behavior, act quickly, and help maintain public safety on the roads. If you hear this code mentioned on a police scanner or in a legal context, you now know it refers to an intoxicated person in a vehicle—a situation that is taken very seriously by authorities.

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Your Ultimate Guide to Police Codes – Including the 390c Police Code and More

Welcome to All Police Codes, your most comprehensive and trusted online resource for police radio codes used by law enforcement agencies across the United States. Whether you’re a curious civilian, aspiring officer, emergency services enthusiast, or someone using a police scanner, our mission is to provide detailed, reliable information about every major police code, including the widely searched 390c Police Code.

Our dedicated team has spent years researching, compiling, and updating police codes and radio signals that are used daily by emergency responders, law enforcement officials, and dispatch operators. These codes play a vital role in ensuring quick, clear, and efficient communication during emergency situations, saving time—and lives—every single day.

What is the 390c Police Code?

The 390c Police Code is one of the many specialized radio signals used by police officers and emergency personnel to convey specific information over the airwaves. While the exact meaning of this code may vary slightly depending on the local jurisdiction, it remains a commonly used code in law enforcement communications. You can hear the 390c code and many others by using a police scanner, which allows you to monitor real-time emergency broadcasts.

Why Police Codes Matter in Emergency Response

Police radio codes were originally developed between 1937 and 1940 to streamline communication and reduce radio traffic. In 1974, the system was expanded and standardized further by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). These codes—also known as ten-codes—serve as shorthand for various types of incidents, officer statuses, and procedural updates.

For example, some of the most commonly used police codes include:

10-7 – Out of service
10-42 – Officer’s end of tour or end of shift

These codes help law enforcement agencies communicate swiftly and securely, even in high-pressure situations.

The History Behind Police Codes

The origin of police codes dates back to the mid-1930s. In the June 1935 issue of The APCO Bulletin, APCO proposed the use of Morse code brevity codes, originally adapted from U.S. Navy communication procedures. These Morse-based codes laid the foundation for the voice-based ten-code system that police forces across America use today.

Over the decades, police codes have evolved alongside advances in technology and communication. Despite the rise of digital systems, radio codes remain an essential part of law enforcement and emergency dispatch.

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Learn, Listen, and Discover More Police Codes

Our guide to police codes doesn’t stop at 390c. We cover everything from the classic ten-codes to special signals and local variations used by different departments across the U.S. Whether you’re trying to decode what you’re hearing on your police scanner or just want to better understand how emergency communications work, we’ve got you covered.

Visit our full Police Codes Directory to explore the entire list of codes in use today, including:

Emergency response codes
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Fire and medical communication codes
Localized code variations

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Whether you’re learning about the 390c Police Code, trying to follow real-time police scanner transmissions, or simply curious about how officers communicate, All Police Codes is your go-to destination. Dive into the fascinating world of law enforcement communications and expand your understanding of the codes that help protect lives every day.

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