The Role & Importance of Orange County Sheriff's Radio Police Codes in Law Enforcement Communication

Effective communication is the foundation of successful law enforcement operations, especially in dynamic and high-pressure environments. In Orange County, California, the Sheriff’s Department utilizes a standardized set of radio police codes to ensure that deputies and officers can relay information rapidly, accurately, and securely across all jurisdictions.

What Are Orange County Sheriff's Radio Codes?

Orange County Sheriff’s radio codes—sometimes referred to as “10-codes” or “police scanner codes”—are abbreviated signals used during radio transmissions to convey detailed information with minimal speech. These codes allow officers in the field, dispatchers, and command centers to communicate with clarity and speed, regardless of their specific units or locations.

Why Are Radio Codes Important in Orange County Law Enforcement?

Enhanced Speed and Efficiency

Time is critical in emergency situations. Radio codes streamline communication by replacing long descriptions with concise numeric shorthand. For example, instead of saying “officer needs assistance immediately,” an officer can simply use the appropriate code to request urgent backup.

Reduced Miscommunication

In tense or chaotic situations, using standardized radio language minimizes the risk of misunderstandings. All personnel trained in these codes understand their exact meaning, eliminating ambiguity and ensuring a unified response.

Operational Security

Using coded language offers a layer of security, especially when transmissions are monitored by civilians or potential suspects via police scanners. Radio codes make it more difficult for outsiders to interpret law enforcement strategies or movements, helping protect officer safety and the integrity of ongoing operations.

Department-Wide Consistency

The use of uniform radio codes across Orange County ensures that sheriff deputies, police officers, jail personnel, and dispatchers are all aligned in communication protocols. This is especially valuable during multi-agency responses, mutual aid situations, or large-scale emergencies.

Common Use Cases of Sheriff's Radio Codes in Orange County

Responding to 911 calls
Reporting traffic stops or pursuits
Broadcasting suspect descriptions or vehicle information
Notifying dispatch of arrests or detentions
Requesting medical assistance, fire response, or additional units

Whether patrolling the streets of Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, or providing security in Orange County Jail facilities, deputies rely on these codes every day to stay connected and coordinated.

Conclusion: A Critical Tool for Orange County Law Enforcement

The Orange County Sheriff’s radio codes are more than just procedural—they are a vital tool that supports public safety, officer efficiency, and secure communication. By standardizing language across all law enforcement communications, these codes uphold the professionalism and effectiveness of police operations throughout the county.

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFFS RADIO POLICE CODES

Radio Codes				Acronyms
10-1	Receiving poorly	903-L	Low flying plane	AKA	Also Known As
10-2	Receiving well	904	Fire	BO	Bad Order (out of service)
10-3	Stop transmitting	904-A	Fire alarm	CP	Command Post
10-4	OK or acknowledgement	904-B	Boat fire	DL	Drivers License
10-5	Relay	904-C	Car fire	DMV	Department of Motor Vehicles
10-6	Busy	904-G	Grass fire	DOA	Dead on Arrival
10-7	Out of service	904-I	Illegal fire	DOB	Date of Birth
10-7-B	Out of service at home	904-M	Trash fire	DOC	Department Operations Center
10-8	In service	904-S	Structure fire	EAS	Emergency Alert System
10-9	Repeat	905	Animal information	EMD	Emergency Medical Dispatch
10-10	Out of service subject to call	905-B	Animal bite	EOC	Emergency Operations Center
10-11	Transmitting too rapidly	905-D	Animal dead	ETA	Estimated Time of Arrival
10-12	Officials or visitors present	905-H	Animal in heat	FI	Field Interview
10-13	Weather or road conditions	905-I	Animal injured	FTA	Failure to Appear
10-14	Escort or convoy	905-L	Animal loose	FTP	Failure to Pay
10-15	En route with prisoner	905-N	Animal noise	GOA	Gone on Arrival
10-16	Pick up prisoner	905-R	Animal rabies suspect	HBD	Has Been Drinking
10-17	Pick up papers	905-S	Animal stray	IC	Incident Commander
10-18	Complete present assignment as soon as possible	905-X	Animal field euthanasia	MCI	Mass Casualty Incident
10-19	Return or returning to station	906	Rescue	NCIC	National Crimes Information Center
10-20	Location	907-K	Paramedic team dispatched	NFD	No Further Details
10-21	Call by telephone	907-N	Paramedic team needed	RACES	Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
10-21-A	Advise my home I will return at _______	907-Y	Is paramedic team needed?	RP	Reporting Person
10-21-B	Call your home by telephone	909	Traffic information	RO	Registered Owner
10-22	Cancel last message or assignment	909-C	Traffic congestion / control	SONGS	San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station
10-23	Standby	909-F	Flares needed	UTL	Unable to Locate
10-25	Do you have contact with ______?	909-T	Traffic hazard	WC	Watch Commander
10-27	Check AWSS computer for warrants	910	Can handle call
10-28	Registration request	911-B	Contact the officer
10-29	Check for stolen or wanted	912	Are we clear to/for _____?
10-30	No wants your subject	913	You are clear to/for _____
10-30-C	Computer or switcher unavailable	914-A	Attempted suicide
10-31	Subject has record but no wants	914-C	Coroner needed
10-32	Subject wanted, are you clear to copy?	914-D	Doctor needed
10-32-F	Subject wanted, felony type hit	914-S	Suicide
10-33	Standby, emergency traffic only	917-A	Abandoned vehicle
10-34	Resume normal radio traffic	918	Mental case
10-35	Confidential information	918-V	Violent mental case
10-36	Correct time	919	Keep the peace
10-37	Name of operator on duty?	920-A	Missing adult (18 years and older)
10-39	Message delivered	920-C	Missing child (12 years and under)
10-42	Pick up officer	920-F	Found child
10-45	Service your equipment	920-J	Missing juvenile (13 to 17 years)
10-46	Standby, I am proceeding to a better location	921	Prowler
10-48	I am now ready to take information	922	Illegal peddling
10-49	Proceed to _____	924	Station detail
10-86	Traffic check, do you have traffic for this unit/dispatcher?	924-D	Station detail / desk
10-87	Meet _____ at _____	924-F	Food for prisoners
10-97	Arrived at location	924-R	Report writing
10-98	Finished last assignment	925	Suspicious person
11350	Possession of controlled substance	925-C	Suspicious person in car
11357	Possession of marijuana	925-V	Suspicious vehicle
187	Murder	926	Tow truck needed
207	Kidnapping	926-A	Tow truck dispatched
207-A	Attempt kidnapping	927	Unknown trouble
211	Robbery	927-D	Investigate dead body
211-S	Robbery, silent alarm	927-H	9-1-1 hang up
220	Attempt rape	928	Found property
240	Misdemeanor assault	928-B	Found bicycle
242	Battery	929	Investigate person down
245	Assault with deadly weapon	930	See the man
246	Discharge of firearms at inhabited dwelling or vehicle	931	See the woman
261	Rape	932	Open door
273-A	Willful cruelty to children	933	Open window
273.5	Domestic violence	949	Gasoline spill
288	Lewd and lascivious conduct	952	Report on conditions
314	Indecent exposure	954	Off the air at scene
390	Drunk	960	Car stop, request follow-up
390-C	Drunk in car	960-X	Car stop, expedite follow-up, dangerous suspects
390-D	Drunk down	961	Car stop, no follow-up needed
415	Disturbing the peace	962	Subject armed and dangerous, are you clear to copy?
415-A	Disturbing the peace / auto(s) involved	966	Sniper activity
415-E	Disturbing the peace / music or party	966-A	Shots heard, no suspect information
415-F	Disturbing the peace / family row	967	Outlaw motorcycle movement
415-G	Disturbing the peace / gang	968	Request want and warrant check of a person
415-M	Disturbing the peace / mechanical or miscellaneous	970	Illegal surfing
417	Subject with a gun	971	Boat over
451	Arson	972	Boat speeding
459	Burglary	973	Swimmer on boat
459-A	Burglar alarm audible	974	Boat adrift
459-S	Burglar alarm silent	975	Wreckage adrift
470	Forgery	976	Oil slick
480	Hit and run felony	977	Check mooring line
481	Hit and run misdemeanor	978	Vessel aground
483	Hit and run parked vehicle	979	Vessel sinking
484	Theft/larceny	980	Radioactive materials present or involved
487	Grand theft	981	Need radiological monitoring team
488	Petty theft	982	Bomb threat
496	Concealing or receiving stolen property	983	Explosion
502	Drunk driver	984	Hazardous materials spill
503	Stolen car/motorcycle/boat	995	Riot or major disturbance
503-T	Stolen vehicle tracking system activation	997	Officer needs assistance from own agency units only. Urgent
504	Car tampering or stripping	998	Officer involved in gun battle
505-A	Reckless driver/driving	999	Officer needs help. Any units respond. EMERGENCY
510	Speeding or racing vehicle	Code 1	Routine. Take this call next
586	Illegal parking	Code 2	Urgent. Expedite, but obey all traffic laws. No red light or siren
594	Malicious mischief	Code 3	Emergency. Proceed immediately using red light and siren
597	Cruelty to animals	Code 4	No further assistance needed
653-M	Obscene telephone calls	Code 4-A	No further assistance needed, suspect at large in the area
664-187	Attempt murder	Code 5	Stake out. Other units stay away unless dispatched in response to a call
901	Traffic accident, unknown if injury	Code 6	Out for investigation
901-K	Ambulance dispatched	Code 7	Out of service to eat
901-N	Ambulance needed	Code 7-B	Out of service to eat at home
901-T	Injury traffic accident	Code 9	Jail break
901-Y	Is ambulance needed?	Code 12	Patrol your assigned district and report extent of disaster damage
902	Accident, non-traffic	Code 13	Activate major disaster plan or perform major disaster duties
902-H	En route hospital	Code 14	Resume normal operations (used only in conjunction with Code 12 & 13)
902-M	Medical aid	Code 20	Notify news media
902-T	Non-injury traffic accident	Code 20-D	Request departmental photographer
903	Plane crash	Code 99	Emergency situation. Emergency button on radio has been depressed. No voice contact