What Is a 487 Police Code? 487 Police Code

The 487 police code meaning for the police forces is Grand Theft.

If you’ve ever wondered, what is 487 police code, you’re not alone. The 487 police code is a commonly used term in police departments, particularly in California, where numeric codes are used to streamline communication between law enforcement officers.

What Is 487 Police Code?

The 487 police code refers specifically to Grand Theft. This code is part of the California Penal Code system, which law enforcement agencies use to classify and report crimes quickly and clearly. When a dispatcher or officer refers to a “487,” they are indicating a case involving Grand Theft, which typically involves the unlawful taking of property or money above a certain value threshold—usually over $950.

History of Police Codes: From APCO to Penal Codes

Police codes like the 487 police code date back to the 1930s. The use of numeric codes in policing started with the APCO Ten Signals in 1937, developed by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO). These codes were created to ensure fast, consistent, and discreet communication over police radios.

California later developed its own system based on the California Penal Code, where each numeric code corresponds to a specific legal violation. The 487 police code is a perfect example, referring to Section 487 of the California Penal Code, which outlines the offense of Grand Theft.

Understanding Grand Theft: Police Code 487

Grand Theft, under California law, is defined as the unlawful taking of another person’s property valued above a set monetary amount—typically $950 or more. It is considered a more serious offense than Petty Theft, which involves smaller amounts and is often charged under Police Code 484.

Some common examples of crimes that may fall under Police Code 487 include:

Stealing a vehicle
Shoplifting high-value merchandise
Embezzling large sums of money
Theft involving electronics, jewelry, or personal valuables exceeding the $950 threshold

Grand Theft can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances of the crime and the criminal history of the accused.

Why Is the 487 Police Code Important?

The 487 police code plays a crucial role in law enforcement operations. It allows officers and dispatchers to:

Identify the nature of a crime quickly
Prioritize response efforts
Record incidents in a standardized way
Communicate clearly without revealing sensitive details over open channels

Understanding these codes is also valuable for the public, legal professionals, and those studying criminal justice, offering insight into how police categorize and respond to crimes.

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

Your Ultimate Guide to Police Codes – Learn the Meaning Behind the 487 Police Code and More

Welcome to All Police Codes, your definitive online resource for understanding and exploring Police Codes in the United States. Whether you’re a curious citizen, aspiring law enforcement professional, emergency services enthusiast, or scanner hobbyist, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve created a comprehensive guide to police radio codes, including detailed explanations of popular ones like the 487 Police Code, and many more used by law enforcement across the nation.

What is the 487 Police Code?

The 487 Police Code typically refers to grand theft, a felony offense. It’s just one of the many police codes used in real-time by officers and dispatchers to communicate quickly and clearly during active incidents. Knowing these codes can help you better understand what’s happening on your police scanner and stay informed about public safety in your area.

Why Do Police Use Codes?

Police codes and radio signals were developed between 1937 and 1940 to help emergency responders communicate essential information quickly and efficiently over two-way radios. In 1974, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) expanded the use of these codes, leading to the 10-codes (like 10-4 for “Acknowledged” or 10-7 for “Out of service”) that are still in use today.

For instance:

10-7 means an officer is out of service.
10-42 signals the end of an officer’s shift or tour of duty—often used in a ceremonial context when an officer retires or has fallen in the line of duty.

Passionately Curated Police Code Resources

At All Police Codes, our dedicated team has spent years researching and following developments in law enforcement communication systems. Our passion for police signals, emergency dispatch communication, and the brave men and women who serve our communities inspired us to build this resource. Whether you’re learning what a police code means or tracking scanner traffic in your area, we aim to provide accurate, easy-to-understand information—all completely free of charge.

We maintain and grow this website out of love for the subject and respect for first responders. To help cover our operational costs, we display ads on the website, which allow us to keep this resource online and updated regularly.

Listen to Police Codes Live

Want to hear the 487 Police Code in action? You can use a police scanner or radio app to listen in on live communications from law enforcement agencies across the country. As long as it’s legal in your area, you can tune into the radio chatter and begin to understand how officers use codes to stay organized and respond to emergencies quickly and efficiently.

The History of Police Radio Codes

The roots of police codes go back to June 1935 when APCO first proposed Morse code brevity codes in their official bulletin. These were based on symbols and shorthand used by the U.S. Navy but adapted for police communications. Although originally designed for Morse code, these procedures laid the groundwork for modern voice codes used by dispatchers and officers today.

Explore All Police Codes Now

Ready to dive deeper? Browse our full database of police codes to learn about everything from common 10-codes to specialized signals used in different states and jurisdictions. Whether you’re interested in California police codes, scanner codes, or emergency response signals, we’ve got you covered.

Stay informed. Stay connected. All Police Codes is your go-to source for everything related to law enforcement communication.

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