Police Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Jargon

Police Abbreviations

There are hundreds of police abbreviations, acronyms, and jargon words used in paperwork and on the radio by law enforcement officials. Whether you’re working towards a career as a police officer or you want to better understand what’s happening on your police scanner, learning police lingo from a police terminology list can be fun and informative.

Frequently-Used Police Abbreviations

Police acronyms and abbreviations in English used in the United States of America cover everything from everyday events to extreme emergencies.

Police Abbreviations for Accidents and Traffic Stops

Things like directions, injury assessments, and motor vehicle documents all have abbreviations so officers can quickly share information about traffic stops and accidents.

A - Adult
AC - Aircraft Crash
BLK - Block
E-B - Eastbound
ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival
INJ - Injury
I/S - Intersection
J - Juvenile involved
LIC - License
M/C - Motorcycle
MVA - Motor Vehicle Accident
NIA - Non-Injury Accident
OBS - Observed
PI - Personal Injury
POSS - Possession
RA - Rescue Ambulance
SPD - Speed
UL - Unable to Locate
VEH - Vehicle
WIT - Witness

Police Codes for Crimes and Their Abbreviations

Specific crimes are often abbreviated so they’re easier to report. Understanding these terms can also help you understand what’s happening if you’re arrested.

ADW - Assault with a Deadly Weapon
B&E - Breaking & Entering
CCW - Carrying a Concealed Weapon
CSU - Crime Scene Unit
DOC - Disorderly Conduct
DUI - Driving Under the Influence
DUS - Driving Under Suspension
DWI - Driving While Intoxicated
GSR - Gun Shot Residue
GTA - Grand Theft Auto
MP - Missing Person
PV - Parole Violation
SOC - Scene of the Crime

Police Abbreviations for Paperwork and Trials

Police paperwork covers a lot of detail, so abbreviations are often used to keep reports shorter.

APB - All Points Bulletin
BKG - Booking
BOLO - Be on the Lookout
CP - Complaining Party
CPD - City or County Property Damage
CT - Court
FTA - Failure to Appear
NCIC - National Criminal Information Center
OD - Off Duty
QT - Secrecy Required
RO - Reporting Officer
ROF - Report on File
RP - Reporting Party

Police Unit and Task Force Acronyms

Specialized police units and task force are more commonly known by their acronyms.

CHP - California Highway Patrol
CRT - Crime Response Team
DEA - Drug Enforcement Agency
FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation
GIU - Gang Intelligence Unit
LAPD - Los Angeles Police Department
OCU - Organized Crime Unit
RHD - Robbery-Homicide Division
SWAT - Special Weapons and Tactics Team

Police Communication Number Codes

Radio codes are extremely important when there is an emergency and time is of the essence. Codes are numerical abbreviations that can allow help to arrive faster by indicating the type of emergency. The use of codes also keeps communication confidential when it comes over a two-way radio and the officer is in a public place.

Ten Codes for Police

Most people are familiar with simple 10 codes for police, like 10-4. The word “ten” tells police that the next number or set of numbers is a code for something. Since there is no universal set of ten codes, these are examples of what they mean in some cases.

10-0 - Use caution
10-4 - Okay, affirmative
10-13 - Advise weather and road conditions
10-14 - Prowler report; Convoy or escort detail
10-15 - Civil disturbance; Prisoner in custody
10-22 - Cancel last message; Investigate a break-in
10-26 - Detaining a suspect; ETA (estimated time of arrival); Larceny
10-27 - Driver’s licence/permit/registration information; Rape report
10-63 - Prepare to make a written copy or receive assistance
10-75 - In contact with; Wanted or stolen
10-78 - Need assistance
10-79 - Bomb threat; Notify coroner
10-101 - Civil disturbance; What’s your status?
10-106 - Secure
10-999 - Officer down

Police Eleven Codes

Since ten codes have become common knowledge over time, some police departments use other codes, like eleven codes, to communicate.

11-6 - Illegal discharge of firearms
11-7 - Prowler
11-10 - Take a report
11-13 - Injured/dead animal
11-24 - Abandoned vehicle
11-27 - Driver’s license check; Driver being held
11-31 - Officer needs help
11-41 - Request ambulance
11-42 - Ambulance not required
11-44 - Fatality/death
11-45 - Attempted suicide
11-48 - Transportation needed
11-80 - Traffic accident - serious injury
11-81 - Traffic accident - minor injury
11-82 - Traffic accident - no injury
11-99 - Officer needs help; Emergency

Common Police Jargon

Jargon is basically a type of shorthand. Understanding cop lingo, or police jargon, can help you learn how to talk like a real cop.

Police Alphabet

Police departments often use an alphabet provided by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, or APCO, to spell out words over their radios. The police alphabet includes one word for each letter and helps dispatchers and officers clearly understand each other over radio communication. In some places the NATO phonetic alphabet is used.

There may be variations between areas, but this is the police alphabet from the LAPD.

A - Adam
B - Boy
C - Charles
D - David
E - Edward
F - Frank
G - George
H - Henry
I - Ida
J - John
K - King
L - Lincoln
M - Mary
N - Nora
O - Ocean
P - Paul
Q - Queen
R - Robert
S - Sam
T - Tom
U - Union
V - Victor
W - William
X - X-ray
Y - Young
Z - Zebra

Police Slang Words and Terms

Just like anyone else, police often come up with slang words and other terms that cover common situations they encounter.

Bailed out - Subject jumped out of the car and ran
Been made - Undercover officer’s identity is now known
Berries and cherries - The lights on top of a police car
Dix - Detectives
Ghetto bird - Police helicopter
Hobbles - Nylon ropes used for restraint
House mouse - Officer who doesn’t go on patrols
Put a rush on the bus! - Get the ambulance here fast!
Ride the lightning - Tasing someone
Sam Browne - An officer’s belt
Stolo - Stolen vehicle