ScanVirginia Police Radio Codes

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Police Radio Codes

Common 10-Codes - Used by Virginia State Police and many others

Most police have abandoned most radio codes since 9-11 (Virginia State Police did Nov 06), however this is a list of the most common codes still heard and used.

10-3 Hold The Air

10-4 OK, Affirmative, Yes
10-5 Relay message to:
10-6 Busy

10-7 Out of Service
10-8 In service
10-9 Say again
10-10 Negative
10-20 Location
10-21 Call by phone
10-22 Disregard
10-23 Arrive on location
10-27 License check (also "OL check")
10-28 Vehicle ownership info
10-29 Wanted check (also just "29")
10-50 Vehicle crash
10-96 Mental subject
10-99 Wanted subject or stolen vehicle

Signal Codes - Used by Virginia State Police and some other agencies

Signal 1- Mayday- Responder is in immediate danger

Signal 2- Responder needs backup- Situation is unstable but the responders life is not in immediate danger

Signal 3- Taking subject into custody

Signal 4- Withholding sensitive information, indicate when ready to receive transmission (also known as "secure your radio")

Clear Codes

Most agencies have "clear codes" which are used to clear and describe the action taken for the call. They are usually a number or abbreviation that may vary from agency to agency.

Chesterfield County did not allow us to publish the list of specific clear code numbers, however, we can say that a few examples of their clear codes stand for "arrest made," "report taken," towed vehicle," and "assist made."

Other Abbreviations

FC- Field Contact (usually involves questioning a subject)

FI- Field Investigation (usually involves searching and questioning a subject)

If you have any additions and/or corrections please email them to admin@scanvirginia.com